About The All Good Bookshop

2019: The co-op is formed

When a popular local bookshop (The Big Green Bookshop) moved away from the area at the end of 2018, it left Wood Green and Turnpike Lane without a bookshop. Some of the regulars knew what an important space it had been, both as a bookshop and a local arts hub, and so looked to start a replacement. That's when we started exploring how to form a co-operative.

2019: The Blue House Yard era

One of the co-founders of the Big Green Bookshop was Tim West, a veteran bookseller of... let's just say many years.

Excitingly, Tim agreed to be part of the co-operative and to manage the new shop if we were able to start up. He also suggested the name (as in 'available from all good bookshops').

Following some crowd-funding and personal loans, we were able to start selling books again in local start-up space, the Blue House Yard. The 'All Good Bookshed' continued in operation for a couple of years, even once we'd opened in Turnpike Lane!

2020: Turnpike Lane (and lockdown...)

In March 2020, with the help of guarantors, the co-op was able to take on a lease at 35 Turnpike Lane. We did a soft-launch open and then... immediately closed for most of the next 12 months due to Covid.

During this time, we took orders online and Tim delivered books locally by bike (gaining a Haringey Hero award for doing so).

Throughout that year and the following, Tim and Carmel Shortall went over and above to keep the shop open during a difficult time. Without their work, we can honestly say the shop wouldn't have survived.

2023: Tim leaves, Volunteers join

Sadly, in 2023, Tim West left us (he didn't die or anything - he just moved to Leamington Spa). We had a gala night for his retirement as part of the Haringey Arts Festival.

At this time, we also moved more towards a volunteer-based system, in order to help keep the shop open. And we welcomed Stephen FitzSimons as the new manager.

Since then, we've launched new groups and events, and the shop has continued to thrive - thanks to the hard work by volunteers and staff, both present and past.

Who's behind this?

Who's behind all this?

We’re currently an acting team, comprised of volunteers. Except for the actual shop staff, none of us are getting paid for this – we’re doing it because we believe that Wood Green/Turnpike Lane has lost something important, so we want to build something new.

Stephen Fitzsimons - Manager

Stephen Fitzsimons is a man on a mission. His mission is to continue to make this bookshop the best in London. He has worked in the background of The All Good Bookshop for two years before becoming the current General Manager and Vice-Chair of the All Good Bookshop co-operative. Stephen has a wide background in books and the promotion of books having studied English Literature & Media, worked in Education for years, and written and published some books.

Brain Kelly - Chair Person

Brain Kelly has a back ground in education and literature. He is the CEO of London based independent publisher Insurgent Press. He brings passion and a can do mentality to the All Good Bookshop project.

Ben Sohawon - Treasury

Ben Sohawon is a local businessman who grew up in and has been a resident of Harringay for nearly forty years. He has grown up surrounded by books, and has even occasionally been accused of reading them.

Sam Enthoven - Events

Sam Enthoven has had a long relationship with the book world and a wide experience of putting on groundbreaking, exciting performances that enthrall the audience. Sam manages our events calendar and gallery space.

Laura Miller - Cooperative Secretary

Laura Miller has wide experience on working on various committees representing different groups including cooperatives. She is a valuable source of information.

Richard Hale - Operations

Richard is a highly driven operations professional with over 20 years’ experience working for major international development charities, a world class art gallery and the largest university in Europe. Richard is also a lover of good bookshops and wants share this with the local community.

Chris Brosnahan - Comms/Content

Chris Brosnahan has 13 years of experience in marketing, communications and social media. He runs the All Good Bookshop writing group (formerly the Big Green Bookshop writing group) which has now been running for 10 years. He also ran the monthly comedy night at the Bookshop over five years.

Available roles

Deputy Treasurer

Assistant Operations

Assistant Secretary

Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and financial controls are in place

· Liaising with the Chief Executive and Bookkeeper to ensure that financial information is provided to the Board of Trustees in a clear and comprehensible format

· Ensuring that accounts are scrutinised as required by auditors and liaising with them on behalf of the Board of Trustees and

· Advising the Board of Trustees on the identification and management of significant financial risks to the charity

· Assisting in preparing the financial sections of the Annual Report

Assistant Secretary

Assistant Operations

Assistant Secretary

Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.

· Ensure the agendas are circulated prior to meetings

· Support the Chair in preparing meeting agendas

· Circulating meeting agendas

· Take minutes of meetings, identifying any action points

· Circulate minutes to all trustees

Assistant Operations

Assistant Communications

Work with the Board of Trustees and key stakeholders to ensure the Bookshop and cooperative is able to meet its strategic objects

· Lead on ensuring our governance documentation are accurate and up to date

· Work with the Chair and Treasure in preparing the annual report

· Work with the board on preparing for the AGM

· Supporting the Bookshop Manager to ensure they have the resources required to fulfil their role

Assistant Communications

· Plan communication activity

· Manage the All Good Bookshop Website

· Manage the All Good Bookshop social media presence

· Chair the Communications subcommittee (if a subcommittee is required)

Deputy Community

Assistant Communications

Deputy Community

· Lead on creating an accessible and safe environment in the Bookshop (including the events spaces)

· Engage with the local community to see how we can encourage them to visit the bookshop and use an events space

· Work with the chair to ensure the strategy is inclusive and supports diversity