A new chapter for Fylde coast book store

A new chapter in the life of one of the county's best known book stores is well under way after the author of a successful formula returned to town.
Elaine Silverwood at her revamped shop, Book, Bean and Ice Cream, in KirkhamElaine Silverwood at her revamped shop, Book, Bean and Ice Cream, in Kirkham
Elaine Silverwood at her revamped shop, Book, Bean and Ice Cream, in Kirkham

Literary events organiser Elaine Silverwood is looking forward to a busy year ahead after returning to her first love, the book store in Poulton Street, Kirkham.

And she is hoping to entice some of the big name authors back to the town for signing events just like the heyday of her shop when the likes of Josephine Cox, Terry Wogan, Katie Price, Andrew Flintoff and Dick and Dom brought hundreds of fans into the town and had an ice cream created in their honour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The shop founded as Silverdell in 2000 is now called Book, Bean and Ice Cream and has the same staff as before, the only thing different is that Elaine is so busy organising events that she can no longer make her own ice cream

She said: “It did not work out for the couple who took over last year and so I came back.

“We carried about a refurb which took five weeks. We have turned the dairy in the back into a kitchen and made more room for the cafe.

“But we are still a bookshop and ice cream parlour. I just have not got time to do the ice cream any more but we have a wonderful organic supplier from a farm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My brother (Robert) who has the cafe at Lowther does the cakes and he has qualified as a chocolatier and so we have his artisan chocolates too.

“It is lovely being back on the high street selling books.

“I was down in London with publishers yesterday and we were chatting about it.

“It is fantastic going full-on with the events but I am glad to be back on the high street as an independent bookseller.

“I was very nervous when I sold the shop to concentrate on the literary events but ended up being incredibly busy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am so busy with children’s authors going into schools and adult author events. I have been working on the Jodie Picoult and children’s laureate Chris Riddell tours.

“I always try to get a few extra signed books which I can then sell at the shop in Kirkham. You have to offer something different.”