New chapter begins for Northamptonshire's oldest bookshop

A new chapter is about to begin for Northamptonshire's oldest bookshop, as The Oundle Bookshop enters its next era under new ownership.

The historic independent bookshop, which has served readers for more than 120 years, has been acquired by Sam Draper, founder of The London Bookman and a former English teacher with 17 years' experience in schools across London, as Head of English.

The Oundle Bookshop will retain its name, identity and independent spirit, with Sam taking on the stewardship of one of Northamptonshire's best-loved literary institutions.

Following a career in teaching, Sam established The London Bookman whilst on paternity leave in 2016 to help busy readers discover their next favourite book. Through a bespoke book concierge service, Sam hand-picks books for readers across the UK and around the world, including members of the Royal Household.

Ten years on, The Oundle Bookshop will also become the new home of The London Bookman, bringing together a much-loved local bookshop with a growing community of readers from far beyond Northamptonshire.

The shop is expected to reopen on Saturday 20th June 2026 for a brief period ahead of the summer holidays before temporarily closing for refurbishment works over the summer. Sam’s plans include creating a fresh new look for Oundle readers while preserving the character and heritage that generations of customers have come to love.

The announcement comes during the UK's Year of Reading and follows new research suggesting children's enjoyment of reading is on the rise, providing fresh encouragement for booksellers and literacy advocates alike.

Sam Draper said: "Books have been central to my life for as long as I can remember. As an English teacher, I spent nearly two decades helping young people discover books that could challenge, inspire and entertain them. That same belief in the power of reading is what led me to establish The London Bookman ten years ago.

"For someone who has spent their career helping people discover books, becoming the custodian of a 120-year-old bookshop is both humbling and incredibly exciting. The Oundle Bookshop is one of those rare places that means a great deal to its community. It has a remarkable history, a loyal customer base and an important role at the heart of the town.

"My ambition is simple: to protect everything people already love about The Oundle Bookshop while bringing fresh energy, new ideas and, of course, plenty of brilliant books. Independent bookshops matter. They introduce us to new authors, bring joy and help feed a lifelong love of reading. At a time when more people are rediscovering books, it feels like the perfect moment to invest in the future of this wonderful shop."

Tallie Patterson-Gordon of Coleman Group who have run the bookshop since 2010 said: “We have absolutely loved running the bookshop for the last 16 years and we are so thrilled that Sam is going to take the shop into its next chapter. Already being a bookseller, hugely knowledgeable about literature and with such strong links to Oundle, he ticked all the boxes for the perfect person to pass the bookshop onto. We wish him every success and can't wait to continue to support him as loyal customers.”