Take a sneak peek inside Tilly's Bookshop – which opens in Worthing this weekend

Tilly’s Bookshop, in Warwick Street, will open its doors for the first time at 10am on Saturday (October 24) with a special launch event in the listed-building property previously occupied by Winkworth estate agent.

The woman behind the new shop is Tilly Fitzgerald, who also runs the Tilly Loves Books Instagram page which has almost 200,000 followers.

After working as a bookseller in Waterstones, and then at Chapter 34 in Shoreham, she decided it was time to take on her own shop and put into practice the ideas she’d had floating around for years.

Tilly said: “It’s been a long process and a labour of love getting everything ready, with lots of painting and getting the bookshelves and desk built, but I think we’re pretty much ready now.

"I have massively over-ordered on books as I have too many favourites, but we definitely won’t run out. I’m nervous and excited, and I just can’t wait to open. Hopefully, it will be a lovely and joyful day.”

Tilly had two other properties fall through before securing her spot on Warwick Street, but said it was clearly meant to be as it was the street where she had always wanted to be based.

She said the community of independent shops and restaurants in the street had been very welcoming, as had the many passers-by popping their heads around the door to say good luck.

“We have a really lovely line-up of authors coming for the launch, most of them local but some coming from further afield,” Tilly said.

“They’ll be doing signings and chatting to people, so I think it’s going to be a lovely and busy day. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

Once Tilly has found her feet this year, she hopes to start book clubs, readings, story-time sessions, events and more in the new year.

Initially, she will be open Wednesday to Friday from 11am to 5.30pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Tilly started her Instagram page about six years ago which led to her working as a bookseller. Without it, she said, she would probably have never started her own book shop.

But, she said, she is going into it with her eyes open and knows running a small business will be challenging: “We have never gone into this thinking it will be a hugely profitable business venture,” she said of setting up the shop with her husband and co-owner Dan.

"It’s not about making a lot of money, it’s just about doing something that I absolutely love. As long as we can stay afloat, and keep the door open, we’ll be happy.

"Obviously it’s intimidating, but at the same time, the excitement and anticipation from people has been really encouraging.”

Tilly said she believes bookshops are having a resurgence since Covid, with people wanting community – which bookshops are uniquely placed to provide.

She said they will have cosy spots for people to come in and chat about what they are reading, as well as plenty of recommendations from Tilly and Charlotte Regan, who has joined the team as a children’s bookseller.

The shelves are stuffed full of fiction of all genres, with plenty of children and young adult offerings, as well as a small section for non-fiction. There are also gifts and book-related items, as well as tokens for audio books.

Under the counter sits a selection of Tilly and Charlotte’s favourite books, including Tilly’s two all-time favourite reads – Still Life by Sarah Winman and We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker.

Her favourite releases this year are The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett and Into the Blue by Emma Brodie.

"I’m a big character-driven reader, so if they are unforgettable characters that’s what I really love,” she said.

Tilly will still keep her Instagram page going when the book shop launches, but said it may take a backseat to ensure the shop gets off to a successful start.

She said: “The conversations with people in real life is what I can’t wait for. I’m doing this because there is no feeling like recommending a book to someone and them coming back and saying ‘I loved it, what next?’.

"This will be a really safe space for everyone, and I want everyone to know they will be very welcome here. It’s a space for the community and whoever wants to come in.

"We want to bring the joy of reading to everyone, particularly young people because of the reading crisis. We want adults and children to find a book they feel represented in. We’re completely anti-book snobbery, every genre, every style of book, is just as important.

"It’s just about a love of reading.”

Tilly has lived in Worthing since she was seven, and said opening a shop in her home town feels wonderful.

In the coming days, she will release a schedule of which authors will be at the shop and when on Saturday.

For more information, see https://www.instagram.com/tillysbookshop/