Foyles

There aren’t many branches of Foyles, so when you see one, grab a book, take a seat on a very comfortable chair and wile away a slow day with a cuppa.
When the upstairs café first opened a few months ago, it felt like a trial, with takeaway cups and little else in the way of snacks. There’s now more on offer, and if you’re a coffee snob (like me), you can enjoy drinking from a bit of crockery rather than a cardboard tumbler.
You would think a bookshop is a bookshop, but I’ve found books here I haven’t seen elsewhere. I confess, most of my books are on my iPad these days, but this is a great place to find giant coffee table books that would look great on the giant, industrial-​looking coffee table I wish I owned.
Local books are here, too, and there’s a space for authors to do talks and book readings, plus a modest gallery. And if you’re looking for unique cards and wrapping paper, though sometimes pricey, look no further.