Concern bookshop celebrates 10 years of success

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to all the staff and dedicated volunteers behind the much-loved Concern Bookshop in Derry city centre as they mark an incredible 10 years of operation. This milestone is a testament to the remarkable volunteers who give so generously of their time each day to keep the shop thriving and to ensure every customer feels welcome.

I am delighted to be part of the celebrations and to support Concern in launching its Concern Bookshop Competition for local primary schools. This is an exciting initiative that offers participants the opportunity to win a special tour of the historic Guildhall with me. I have no doubt this initiative will inspire creativity and a love of reading among our young people, and I encourage every primary school across the city and district to take part in this wonderful opportunity.

I’m absolutely delighted to be part of this celebration on World Book Day. Bookshops are special places where you can have a quiet browse, share reading recommendations, discover a hidden gem of a book and take time out from a busy day.

A second-hand bookshop like this one is even more important because every book bought also helps change lives around the world. That’s something worth celebrating.

This special occasion is down to the incredible dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our customers and everyone who donates books. We’ve raised an amazing £600,000 in the past 10 years, which has helped support Concern’s work with people living in extreme poverty across the world.

Every book donated, every purchase made and every hour volunteered has made lasting difference to families facing hunger, conflict and climate crises around the world. We are grateful to everyone who has helped make the shop such a success.

Everyone loves the shop. It’s like a social centre and is part of people’s daily routine. It’s a big thing to be able to come in here and have someone to talk too and listen. It’s an important space in people’s lives.

We had an older couple from near Limavady who used to visit us every Tuesday. But after Covid, they didn’t want to leave their home, so I took some books – ones I knew they liked - and delivered them to their house, and they sent a cheque back to us. They just thought this was fantastic.

People in Derry are very generous. We’ve been fortunate to have had some fantastic book donations in the past, such as two copies of Lost Lives, one of which we sold for £200.

And it’s not just books. People also drop in to donate money, especially during Concern’s emergency appeals. A few years ago, a local school gave us a cheque for £4,000 for an appeal. And another time, a woman came in and left a £1,000 donation for Concern.