Overview

This lovely old bookshop is a joy to visit, but there are problems if you need step-free access, there is a large mezzanine area upstairs which is not step-free and a wheelchair user is unable to browse in this area.

Transport & Parking

I don't know enough about public transport or parking arrangements in Cambridge to comment.

Access

For a wheelchair user it's difficult to get into the shop, the doors at the step-free entrance are heavy and stiff. It's easy to get around the ground floor. The step-free entrance is on the Trinity Street side of the shop. There is a lift to the upper floor, which has recently been refurbished and is in good condition. It's a tight fit but I think most wheelchair users would fit in. Stay well clear of the folding doors on the inside of the lift, they spring open and shut with remarkable speed and it would be unwise to obstruct them. On the first floor there is a large raised mezzanine area which does not have step-free access, but the very sweet staff are happy to fetch any books you'd like to look at if you can't access that area. Nevertheless, it is impossible to browse there if you can't get there, so that's only a partial mitigation of the lack of access to that area.

Toilets

There are no customer toilets of any kind.

Staff

The staff are delightful, friendly, courteous and helpful. Top-notch customer service. One of the staff made me laugh when I commented on the range of wonderful books available in this shop, and I added "I could bankrupt myself here!" - his response was a witty, tongue-in-cheek "Please go ahead!"

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Check out the gorgeous ceilings and the mouldings around their edges. They are part of the pleasure of shopping here. Although the shop is very old, it has been recently refurbished and is very clean, smart and tidy: it's a pleasure to shop here.

Photos

Venue Manager responded to this review

Many thanks for your review and apologies again for the lift and accessibility issues. I can assure you we have the lift serviced regularly and it is always fixed promptly when it does breakdown. Unfortunately, due to the age of the building and the fact that it is listed, we are unable to install a larger, more modern lift and must make the best of the model we have. It's most regrettable that you got the impression that the staff found this amusing as this is certainly not the case and we are very sorry that this is what you felt. We'll take your comments on board and discuss this with all of our staff. On our first floor, the nature of the building means that it's not fully accessible, however our staff are fully aware of this problem and are very happy to fetch and carry books for all customers who are unable to access them themselves. Please do ask should you require any assistance finding books. I hope that you will visit us again!