The Bermondsey Bookshop 1921-1930
The Bermondsey Bookshop opened its doors on February 11th 1921 and closed them for the last time in 1930.
The Bookshop first occupied Number 89 Bermondsey Street.
A new property was chosen at Number 171 Bermondsey Street. It had been a public house called the ‘The Anchor and Eight Bells’.
The shop was established by Ethel Gutman and her businessman husband Sidney, with the declared purpose of bringing ‘books and the love of books and the allied arts into the lives of the working men and women of Bermondsey’.
Sad, early death of Ethel In March 1925, Ethel sadly died suddenly. She had been the inspiration and devoted promoter of the initiative. Sidney took over the running of the shop and reading room, assisted by Ethel’s sister who was already a partner in the business. She eventually became his second wife.