WELLINGTON has welcomed the return of an independent bookshop.

Bookshop by the Blackdowns, in South Street, run by a family who have lived, worked and studied in Wellington for the last ten years, opened on Saturday.

The bookshop features contemporary fiction and non-fiction with a dedicated children’s section from pre-schoolers upwards.

Richard D’Rozario said: “As we have been setting up the shop, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response of passers-by eager to know when we are opening.

“One visitor popped in to thank us for the potential beneficial effects our bookshop could have on the community.”

Richard and his wife, Sue, have educational backgrounds and both have aspirations for the bookshop becoming a community hub for book events like author talks, signings and reading clubs.