We are absolutely thrilled to announce our Retailer of the Month for October: the shop at The British Library!
Nestled inside one of the world's most incredible cultural institutions, the shop is a haven for book lovers, thinkers, and visitors from across the globe. Join us as we step inside their inspiring space to chat about their love for exhibitions, their wonderfully diverse audience, and why our new Jane Austen collaboration was a "perfect fit" for their collections.
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Tell us about the shop, where you are and what you sell. What’s the vibe in your store? What makes you, you?
Nestled within the British Library, we aim for our shop to be a haven for book lovers and curious minds alike. We celebrate the written word with a carefully selected range of thoughtful gifts, from beautifully designed homeware and classic novels to unique treasures inspired by our collections.
Tell us about the shop, where you are and what you sell. What’s the vibe in your store? What makes you, you?
Nestled within the British Library, we aim for our shop to be a haven for book lovers and curious minds alike. We celebrate the written word with a carefully selected range of thoughtful gifts, from beautifully designed homeware and classic novels to unique treasures inspired by our collections.
We have a wonderfully diverse audience: bibliophiles seeking their next favourite read, researchers pausing for inspiration, and visitors from around the world visiting to view our historic manuscripts and then come to the show to pick up a reminder of their trip.
Describe your shop in three words!
Bookish, Creative, Inspiring.
What do you love about being a shop Manager?
There is nothing more inspiring than watching our customers. Many come through the shop still buzzing from our exhibition spaces or galleries, and it’s a joy to see them discover something in the shop that really resonates with them. We want every visitor, whatever their reason for coming, to leave with a meaningful memory to take home.
And it’s not just here in London, our online shop welcomes a truly global community. The British Library and the work we do reaches people all over the world, and it’s fascinating to see the different items they choose and how our collections inspire them from afar.
Tell us about your most favourite time of the year and why it’s so special to you?
The obvious answer might be Christmas, but for us it has to be exhibition season. We hold two major exhibitions each year, and each one transforms the atmosphere of the shop. Just as our collections are wonderfully diverse, so too are our exhibitions, in 2024 we celebrated the history of Black British music with our award-winning Beyond the Bassline show, followed only months later by an exhibition on Medieval Women. For us, that means the chance to source and create new products, refresh our displays, and create a shopping experience that feels completely new every few months.
Why do you choose to stock Victoria eggs?
Victoria’s designs are so special and timeless, and the products she creates are made
with exceptional care and quality. That really resonates with our customer base. The
fact that she works with UK manufacturers and uses sustainable practices sets her
apart, particularly within the tourist and London gifting market.
When we were developing our Jane Austen range, she seemed the perfect collaborator, and we are absolutely delighted with how the collection has turned out.
Lastly, Victoria Eggs also has further connections to the Library, being an alumnus of the BiPC Innovating for Growth programme.
What's your favourite Victoria Eggs Collection?
Not that we are at all biased, but it has to be our recent Jane Austen collaboration. It was a real joy to work with Victoria to celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen. Victoria’s designs really honour her remarkable life and literary legacy. The illustrations capture the essence of the Regency era, and this range is the perfect companion to our Pride and Prejudice Facsimile.
Where can people find you?
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London, NW1 2DB
Nearest Tube station: King's Cross St. Pancras
Website: shop.bl.uk
Socials: @britishlibraryshop on Instagram