OWNERS of two independent bookshops have teamed up to bring high-profile authors to Chester.

Carrie Morris from Booka Bookshop, Oswestry and Sue Porter from Linghams Books, Heswall, have been attracting big names to the city for this autumn.

They include TV chef, presenter and writer Nadiya Hussein; BBC TV journalist, presenter and writer Clive Myrie; Sara Pascoe (stand-up comedian and host of the Great British Sewing Bee); award-winning children’s author Cressida Cowell; actor, comedian and TV personality David Mitchell and British comedy legend Ade Edmondson.

Sue said of the initiative: "We both have an excellent reputation for our event programmes and having worked together during lockdown to host over 550 events via Facebook Live and Zoom as part of 'At Home with 4 Indies', collaborating to attract top authors to Chester seemed like an obvious next step."

Carrie added: "The autumn is the most important time of year for both our bookshops and we knew that we could attract the biggest names if we pooled our experience, contacts and audiences."

Booka and Linghams have been working closely with Storyhouse Chester, Chester Racecourse and Chester Cathedral to host household names and bring ‘entertainment through books’ to the high street.

Carrie said: "Books are at the heart of what we do and we want our audiences to experience the joy of book events. Books can change lives for the better and bookshops contribute hugely to their local economy."

The owners started their collaboration earlier this year with an event at Storyhouse with Dr Louise Newson, aka The Menopause Doctor and have been supporting TV presenter and writer, Louise Minchin on her promotional tour for ‘Fearless – Adventures with Extraordinary Women’, which had its publication launch at Storyhouse in May.

In July, Carrie and Sue hosted a sell-out, high profile event with children’s author David Walliams at Chester Racecourse.

Sue said: "It was so exciting to meet David and to see the reaction of his readers both young and not so young.

"He was a true professional and in addition to signing copies of his book for everyone who attended, he stayed to meet everyone after his show. It was a truly memorable event with lots of fans."

Booka and Linghams are working hard in their individual communities but also within their wider, interconnected catchment to inspire young readers and create a ‘buzz about books’.

There are other big names not yet announced for the autumn, and the two booksellers are already working on their spring offering.

Both shops have won Uk & Ireland Independent Bookshop of the Year – Linghams in 2013 and Booka in 2015

To find out more about the events, visit www.bookabookshop.co.uk or www.linghams.co.uk.