National Bookshop Day: Looking Back at IPM’s Research on Booksellers as Placemakers
As National Bookshop Day approaches on Saturday 11th October, the Institute of Place Management is reflecting on our 2021 research, Booksellers as Placemakers, which highlighted the powerful role of bookshops in sustaining and revitalising high streets.
Commissioned by the Booksellers Association and undertaken with Heartflood, the study was the first of its kind to explore how bookshops contribute not just to retail, but to the wider vitality and viability of towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. More than 200 booksellers took part, through surveys and interviews.
Findings that still resonate today
The research revealed that booksellers consistently “punch above their weight” when it comes to place leadership and community impact:
- 100% of booksellers surveyed contributed to the diversity of their high streets.
- Nearly all played a role in place marketing, linked trips, and improving the appearance of their centres.
- Bookshops acted as cultural and social anchors, from hosting festivals and author events to supporting schools and voluntary groups.
- Many were involved in governance and local leadership, from chambers of commerce to town centre partnerships.
Reflecting on the findings, Chris Gregory, Fellow of the Institute of Place Management and one of the report’s authors, said:
“The report showed that booksellers tend to instinctively act as pillars of the business community, and I'd go as far as to say that, if more retailers acted like booksellers do, our high streets would have far fewer problems..”
Why this matters for place management
The study showed that bookshops embody many of the behaviours that effective place management seeks to nurture: collaboration, innovation, stewardship of local assets, and a willingness to act as community hubs. Their example demonstrates how individual businesses can influence wider town centre strategy and contribute to resilience, identity, and belonging.
For place managers, the lesson is clear: encouraging and supporting more retailers to adopt a “placemaker” mindset can transform high streets into thriving, people-centred destinations.
Looking ahead
With retail continuing to evolve, these insights remain timely. Bookshops demonstrate how independent businesses can contribute to the experience, culture, and community of a high street - acting as placemakers in ways that go far beyond commerce.
As we mark National Bookshop Day 2025, IPM celebrates the role of booksellers in keeping our town and city centres alive with ideas, imagination, and human connection.
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.