A Company Director has ditched the corporate life to open an independent book shop in New Brighton. Peter Frost, 56, has quit his role as Director of World Of Glass in St Helens and opened Messrs Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop on Mount Pleasant Road — fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Returning to his hometown of New Brighton, Peter has opened a quaint little book shop that supports local authors and stocks a revolving range of ‘hidden gems’ — often 1 you won’t find in large stores or supermarkets. Open Tues-Sat, 11am-5pm, Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop also has a quirky little coffee shop at the back.

What really sets Peter’s little book shop apart is the community ethos. With the aim of bringing people together through literary love, there are regular events such as Book Club and Poetry Club, monthly on Thursday evenings, Mums Club and Under 5s reading classes twice a month, Improving Confidence workshops and dementia sessions. Authors are also welcomed to host book launches.

Very much a passion project for Peter, Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop aims to keep alive the local community book shop in a world that’s dominated by retail and online giants. The idea is to offer the latest fiction and non fiction for adults and children, encourage local people to buy physical books from local authors and to read more, and also to bring people together.

Peter explained:- “I am originally from New Brighton and have so many happy memories here from growing up. I spent years teaching before becoming a Director of a large glass company but have always loved books and it’s always been my dream to open my own independent book shop. My father passed away recently and it made me realise that you only live once so it’s important to follow your dreams.”

He continued:- “To come back home to New Brighton and open is very special. High street community book shops are a dying breed with online and retail giants, but there’s something special about little independent book shops and buying a physical book. It’s very much about community too — my regular events aim to connect people through the love of literature.”

The regular events such as Book Club, Poetry Club, Mums Club, Under 5s reading classes, Improving Confidence workshops and dementia sessions aim to improve mental health and literacy, whilst combatting loneliness and isolation. Through Fletcher & Frost Community Book Shop, Peter has created more than just a book shop — it’s a community hub.

Peter summarised:- “It’s very much a passion project for me. I have taken a big risk and decrease in income by quitting my role as Company Director but this isn’t about money for me — it’s much more than that. Since opening in April the feedback has been incredible — people love coming in and discovering some real gems and I’ve met some wonderful people in the shop. That makes it all worthwhile.”

Peter Frost, 56, has opened Messrs Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop at 51 Mount Pleasant Road in New Brighton — just a few doors down from The Telegraph Pub. The book shop offers gems from famous novelists alongside local authors and has regular clubs and classes. Peter also offers free delivery and special gift wrapping.

Messrs Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop / 51 Mount Pleasant Road, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 5EN / 07496 060162

For more information, visit the website. Alternatively, follow Messrs Fletcher & Frost Community Bookshop on Facebook and Instagram.