International Update: English Bookshops Reopen, Small Business Day NZ

England's next stage of Covid-19 restrictions being eased begins today, with "non-essential" retail, including bookshops, allowed to reopen. 

The Book Hive in Norwich "is celebrating the city's vibrancy and talent as part of its reopening celebrations," the Eastern Daily Press reported. Owner Henry Layte teamed up with local illustrators and designers to decorate the shop's windows ahead of April 12. 

"It's really exciting it feels like we are preparing for a party," he said. "We could have just filled the window with new hardback books. No-one knows the future but we have come through it because Norwich is a very special place and there are talented people."

In Bath, Saber Khan, manager of Topping and Company Booksellers, told the Guardian he is confident that people still enjoy spending time in a bookshop: "So many people have chosen not to go to Amazon [during lockdown]. We're moving to a larger premises in November because we have faith in bookshops. People love physical books. People love browsing."

Other booksellers were checking in on social media over the weekend in anticipation of welcoming patrons back to their shops:

West End Lane Books, London: "We are SO excited to welcome you back tomorrow! We will be here 9-6 Monday to Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday's. As always you can phone or email for orders. We look forward to seeing your beautiful faces tomorrow!"

Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, Norwich: "We're ready for you! NEW Window, NEW Books, NEW Shelves, NEW classes, NEW Stools, NEW Sofas, NEW Rugs, NEW Coffee machine, NEW Cakes, NEW Office, SAME People, SAME Smiles, SAME love for books and the arts. SAME desire.... Can you tell we're excited? Excitement made even more palpable by the knowledge our customers are awesome and make the shop a community hub. Maybe we'll see you Monday, maybe we won't. But we'll see you soon and that's all we care about. (Well, that, and world peace obviously) Huge thx to our epic friends for helping to ensure we have come back bigger, better, stronger. You know who you are."

Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye: "Who is heading out to a bookshop tomorrow? We can't wait to welcome our customers back again."

The Rabbit Hole, Brigg: "Think we are ready to slowly and safely breathe life into @Therabbits21 and help get the high street back. Good luck and take care #Indies everywhere."

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Friday was Small Business Day in New Zealand. Hedley's Books in Masterton posted on Facebook: "Happy Small Business Day NZ! The #Wairarapa is full of awesome little businesses, so we're right behind this initiative to encourage everyone to get out (or online) and support them by shopping small. The best news? If you make a purchase with us or another small biz today and you share a photo of that purchase on social with the tag @smallbusinessdaynz, you could win a share of $200K*! Let's share the love by tagging your favorite small #Wairarapa businesses below!"

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French Bookseller moment: Posted by Shakespeare and Company, Paris: "#Spring is here and the cherry blossom trees in front of the bookshop are about to bloom. It only sticks around for a few days, though, so do pay us a visit if you can!" --Robert Gray

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