We speak to Lizzie Moss, owner of Heron Books in Clifton, to find out more about what it’s like to run an independent bookshop and discover her inspiration for starting the business.

How did this bookshop begin, and what inspired you to open it?

I have always wanted to open a bookshop and somehow a combination of luck, hard work and huge amounts of help from friends and family aligned so that in October 2022 I was able to make this happen. I still can’t quite believe it. Unlocking the door to my very own shop each morning has a rather potent magic.

What’s something customers might not know about running an independent bookshop?

I don’t want to spoil any illusions but I don’t just sit around reading… There is rather more to do than that. But let’s pretend that in the quiet moments I am just sitting with a glass of wine and a Seamus Heaney collection.

How do you support local authors and publishers?

We stock as wide a range as we can and choose every title individually. That includes local authors and publishers as well as actively seeking titles from lots of independent publishers throughout the country. It’s always fun to share with customers when we know the author or publisher personally. As well as Bristol Books, a personal favourite is Read & Co, whose Art Meets Science imprint is particularly special.

What role do you see the bookshop playing in the local community?

I wanted Heron Books to be a shop for the local community and I think that we are doing pretty well at that. We know our customers well and really care about them – people pop in for a catch up as well as for bookish chat; we run lots of book clubs and events where people meet others who they would not have known otherwise; we provide a warm, kind space rammed with books which introduce readers to subjects they may know little about, with books that inspire curiosity, cause people to change their mind, engage in discussion and have fun.

What was your favourite author event in 2025?

Very hard to pick a favourite. We had events at St Georges with people like David Olusoga which are really exciting, we had poetry readings with Tom Sastry and Deborah Harvey, two of our favourite Bristol poets and we supported lots of events with the Bristol Humanists. Having said that… one of my favourite things we did was a gig in the shop with Steve Page who writes songs inspired by books. From the basement of the shop, we travelled with him across the seas and across America and it was heavenly.

What trends in publishing or reading are you excited (or concerned) about?

I won’t patronise you by pointing out all the problems with AI and will instead focus on something to look forward to: 2026 is a year in which it feels like we are all campaigning for children (and people of every age) to read for pleasure. There is so much joy awaiting everyone who picks up a book.

Are there any exciting events coming up that readers should know about?

Lots! Check our website events page and our book club page. I’m particularly looking forward to a gig in the shop on 21st February with local hero Keith Warmington.

What’s a recent book you loved that surprised you?

Boss of the Underworld by Tor Freeman. Writing good children’s books is a serious art form. Her writing is superb for all ages, highly intelligent and surprising at every turn. There are two books in the series so far and I cannot wait for the third…

What’s the most unusual book someone has asked for?

We get delightfully weird requests every day. It’s kind of our favourite thing. It’s always fun when someone insists they need a picture book featuring a capybara, a Brussels sprout and no use of the colour yellow, for example…

Address: 7a Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HW

Visit: www.heronbooks.co.uk

Bookshop Q&A: Heron Books, Clifton

January Highlights