{"id":79086,"date":"2026-04-20T16:47:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=79086"},"modified":"2026-04-20T16:47:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:47:37","slug":"independent-bookseller-pleased-to-join-sheffield-book-festival-after-shop-closure-earlier-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/independent-bookseller-pleased-to-join-sheffield-book-festival-after-shop-closure-earlier-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Independent bookseller pleased to join Sheffield book festival after shop closure earlier this year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A female-owned independent bookstore is getting back into the city’s thriving literary scene this weekend, after its owner closed the shop following harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheffield\u2019s Independent Book Festival<\/a> (SIBFest) is launching for the first time on Saturday and is set to bring a wave of literary celebration to the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two-day festival includes a bookshop crawl on Saturday and a market place hosting local Sheffield poets and famous guest authors, including Manya Wilkinson, Michelle Tea and Steve Webb, on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent bookshops are often seen as a calm, inclusive environment, but for many women who run them the reality is much more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event has been organised with the help of local independent booksellers, including Novel<\/a>, which closed on 11 January 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Novel’s owner, Kate Nixon, 31, made the tough decision to close her shop on School Road in Crookes indefinitely, due to persistent harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sheffield community was very supportive, following the closure. Local businesses commented heartfelt messages on her Instagram post regarding her shop closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Nixon told Sheffield Wire<\/em> how Cloud Coffee has supported her business, allowing Novel to run a distribution operation from its premises. She said the staff were “incredibly sweet” to offer their space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the update of her shop, she said: “Sales are down, which I think is a little inevitable, given a big pull to shopping independently is the interaction you have with booksellers and the personal recommendations we give.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, she explained that having an active social media following and 1,500 people subscribed to Novel’s newsletter, she has been able to move the business online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the difficulties Novel has faced, Miss Nixon’s involvement in organising SIBFest highlights the company’s commitment to the local literary community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival will support them in return, as 100% of its takings will go to Sheffield\u2019s\u00a0bookshops, local\u00a0authors and to the independent book trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Nixon said: “This is an amazing opportunity for us to see our regular customers and also connect with new people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019ve got some smaller publishing houses selling on the day who wouldn\u2019t be able to afford rent, bills, business rates and the other operating costs associated with taking on a physical shop.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIBFest offers a new and exciting opportunity for independent bookshops, particularly female-owned businesses, to move beyond the challenges they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIBFest takes place on 25 and 26 April, find out more here<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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