City Centre Welcomes New Independent Bookstore- Vellichor Books

On February 3rd, Hanley welcomed the grand opening of a new bookstore and café. Mitch Hughes, a 30-year-old enthusiast, has ingeniously merged his love for reading, socialising, and coffee into a single haven called Vellichor Books. Nestled within the Piccadilly Arcade, this bookstore boasts an extensive collection of both new and preloved books, comics, and manga. Additionally, patrons can savour a variety of coffee, tea, and other hot and soft beverages while browsing through the literary treasures. Notably, the store showcases rare or signed copies of books and comics, alongside some literary gems that are over a century old.

In a thoughtful gesture towards families, Vellichor Books features a designated 'kids corner' where children can engage in games or immerse themselves in reading. This thoughtful provision allows parents to indulge in their literary pursuits without the concern of tending to their little ones. Moreover, for those seeking a rendezvous with friends, the bookstore provides an ideal setting where parents can socialise while their children are occupied in the dedicated children's area.

Mitch said “I’ve always wanted to open my own bookstore and coffee shop, and I’d thought about doing it in the past but I wasn’t sure how successful it would be. Then a friend of mine opened Geek Retreat around the corner and I thought ‘If they can do it then why can’t I’ - so I did.

“We have lots of books that are mostly preloved, but some are brand new. I’ve spent a long time sourcing the books from lots of different places. My partner has done a brilliant job doing the place up to be ready for today.

“I lived in Sheffield for a while and there was a Waterstone’s branch there that had a cute little cafe inside, and that was kind of the inspiration behind Vellichor Books. Some of the signed and rare books cost £300, so I’ve got quite a good collection for people to enjoy.

“As long as people are buying a coffee or something then I’m happy for them to read the books and unwind during their visit without feeling the pressure of having to buy them. I’ve made sure that there are games to keep children entertained - or adults if they want to - so I’ve got puzzles, chess, scrabble, and other games.

“We’re in a lovely and quiet part of Hanley so the book has a nice and relaxed feel. We’re also dog friendly. We’re thinking of putting a couple of tables and chairs outside in the summer as well.

“We have an upstairs that we’re making into a community space, where local artists, groups, students or whoever might need a space can meet and do their craft. We’re happy to finally be opening and we hope people enjoy it as much as us.”

Vellichor Books is open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm, and on Sundays from 11am until 5pm.