The Joy Of A Local Bookshop

In a little town in Oxfordshire, just five minutes from our office lies The Wallingford Bookshop. It’s a pretty, jam-packed treasure trove of all the books you could ever read. Even if you aren’t sure what you want, that’s no problem for the friendly and uber-knowledgeable team here, who are primed ready to find you the perfect read.

Wallingford Bookshop Full Shop

As we stand here more boxes arrive with new books, including some top-secret proof copies, that we keenly eye up! I’m not entirely sure where they are all going to fit but I don’t get the impression that shifting stock is a problem. A gentleman buying for Mother’s Day hands over six books, which have just been lovingly chosen with the help of Helen Longworth, who works here part-time.

Helen said: “We are all readers so between us we read all the books we get in, even the children’s and YA (Young Adult) ones. Our owner Ali read the new Margaret Atwood novel The Testaments in a day to make sure she was ready for the queue of people ready to buy it the next day. Our customers expect us to know our books and to build a personal relationship with them - that is something Amazon can’t do.”

Wallingford Bookshop Window

Shopping with an independent retailer is a special experience and something that the team at this shop doesn’t take for granted.

Fiona Coulson, who has worked here for ten years said: “We are working on a website but not having one until now hasn’t hindered us. We are all about the physical experience of choosing a book and visiting a bookshop. That’s why we don’t have a coffee shop or sell anything but books!”

Community outreach is crucial too and Ali regularly visits local schools to share her love of reading. She also offers a book subscription service, posting you a book a month, based on ones you’ve read previously and liked. They have next day delivery if they don’t have a particular book in and will even occasionally make local home visits with customer orders, making getting a new book quick and convenient. It’s fair to say – they’ve thought of everything!

Wallingford Bookshop WBD

There’s a reason why we at TAP love our local bookshop so much. It’s not just the smell (although there’s something about it right?!) but, whilst we don’t sell books, we are in the business of story-telling. We wholeheartedly believe that smaller, skilled and people-led businesses can offer a richer and more beneficial customer experience.

Kate Godber - 05/03/20

"Partnering with TAP has helped our team tackle the challenges of the European marketplace and its diversity of geographies and languages. TAP’s expertise, connections and work has strengthened our brand, content and social media efforts. We appreciate its responsive collaborative approach, and its ability to work efficiently within short timelines, limited budgets and across time zones and languages. Plus it connected quickly with our team and are a pleasure to work with."

Colleen Shaw - Global Communications Leader, Nuseed

"The Ad Plain’s digital skills and expertise have helped Interagro in building a social media presence in the agricultural market place. TAP are innovative and creative with their ideas and at the forefront of developing social media strategies. A dynamic and forward thinking team - an absolute joy to work with."

Emma Ralph - Managing Director, Interagro

"Mexico Tourism Board worked with TAP for all its creative requirements for UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. We have been delighted with the strong creative concepts which work effectively over a broad spectrum of media. In addition, as well as communicating a strong image of Mexico, the creative works to accurately portray the rich diversity of Mexico's many regions. The whole team are always ready to help and will find a solution for any problem and hit even the tightest deadlines."

Lupita Ayala - Deputy Director, Mexico Tourism Board

"TAP have helped Monsanto through all stages of establishing and building a social media presence for DEKALB, which yielded impressive results in a recent high-profile website launch."

Lucy Kane - Production & Marketing Coordinator, Monsanto

"The Ad Plain's professional, creative and patient approach enabled us to produce a vibrant and accessible report for the conference which will stand the test of time and which is already creating demand for further copies. Thank you to The Ad Plain team for working so effectively with us."

Julian Gairdner - Co-chairman Oxford Farming Conference

×