A BOOKSHOP has celebrated its 40th year in business with a gathering of loyal customers, former owners and current staff.

The independent Castle Hill Bookshop, in Castle Hill, Richmond, opened in September 1975, and to mark the occasion staff at the store are giving 20 per cent off a selection of books that were popular at the time of the opening.

Wendy Patch, story manager, said: “We have 40 titles in our offer and we hope to inspire people to get a taste for what we were reading 40 years ago.

“We have a real mix of books on offer from There’s a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr Seuss, Breakfast of Champions by Kirk Vonnegut, Curtain by Agatha Christie to Jaws by Peter Benchley. We looked for books we thought would still appeal to readers today.”

Former owners of the bookshop attended the event last week, including Donald and Nina Cline, and Philip and Anne Wicks. The current owner Stuart Cole took over in January last year.

Dorothy Clague, a customer since 1977, said she built a strong relationship with the bookshop as a teacher at Richmond School.

She said: “I have always found it a wonderful place to come.

“I used to hound this place at the weekend and buy books for school. It marvellous for the town to keep an independent bookshop.”

Mrs Patch said: “Customer service has always been at the heart of what we do and it really makes a difference.”