Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Bookish Type?

We’re at 77a Great George Street - directly opposite the LGI and St George's Crypt. We’re less than 10 minutes walk from Leeds train station.

Our full address is 77a Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BR

When are you open?

Tuesday 10-6
Wednesday 10-6
Thursday 10-6
Friday 10-6
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 12-4
Monday - Closed

Can I order books from you that you don’t have in stock?

Yes, as long as they are in print. Speak to us in the shop about what you’d like to order or drop us an email. We can order books that are not LGBTIQA+ related but we may ask for payment in advance (because it will be tricky for us to re-sell them if you decide you no longer want them).

Can I order books for my book group?

Yes, of course. We may be able to offer a discount for your book group so talk to us in the shop about this or contact us by email.

Will you sell my book?

We tend to buy from established publishers and small presses. We’re currently not taking on any new books that are self-published because unfortunately we have found that they rarely sell in the shop.

Will you sell my merchandise?

We are keen to support local queer artists but we only have limited room in the shop so we are mainly interested in stocking zines, prints and cards. Please email us with as much detail as possible about your merchandise including trading terms information and images.

Do you accept National Book Tokens?

We don't sell or accept National Book Tokens but we do have our own Bookish Type vouchers. You can buy an e-voucher just for online use or a voucher that comes with a card and can be used online and/or in the shop.

How does the Pay It Forward scheme work?

Pay It Forward is a way of making queer books available to those who can't afford them. You can donate to the Pay It Forward scheme here.

If you can't afford a paperback but you would like one, then please pop in to the bookshop and use the Pay It Forward scheme.

Do you buy second hand books or take donations of books?

We don’t buy second hand books but we do take donations of LGBTIQA+ themed books and books by queer authors. We run Second Hand Sundays where we sell pre-loved queer books to raise money for local grassroots LGBTIQA+ groups. We’re always looking for more donations of queer books so please get in touch if you have any or drop them off in the shop.

Are you currently hiring staff?

We are currently recruiting for a part-time Bookshop Assistant - full info/application form here

Please do not send in speculative enquiries or CVs.

Can I bring my dog into the shop?

Yes! We are a dog friendly space and have a water bowl just inside the doorway.

How accessible is the shop?

The shop has an 8cm step at the entrance and we have a ramp if required. There is a bell on the window ledge to press for someone to bring out the ramp. The doorway is 75cm wide.

Inside the shop is all flat level vinyl flooring with minimum 100cm turning points by all the bookcases.

We have a small step stool if needed to reach the higher shelves. Please ask any member of staff for help with reaching any of the stock.

There is a soft sofa without arms and a long wooden bench topped with cushions inside the shop.

There are spotlights facing each bookcase.

There is on street parking on Great George Street (charges may apply).

For events:

The event seats are armless with cushioned backs and seats. There is also a two seater armless padded sofa and a backless wooden bench with cushions. Please contact in advance if you require a particular place in the room.

There is one staff bathroom with toilet and hand basin which we allow use of during events. It is down 13 steps on the lower ground floor.

We currently do not have any audio-visual equipment so all events are at 'speaking' volume.

Masks are encouraged and we have a limited number of free FFP2 masks in the shop.

The room has an air purifier with a H13 HEPA filter.

A live feed or recording may be made depending on the nature of the event and consent of participants.

Please test yourself for COVID and do not attend if you are showing any symptoms.

Can I run an event in the bookshop?

We would love local queers to use the bookshop as a community space for small scale events such as reading or writing groups, workshops or talks. Preferably things that are queer and/or literary. Please read this information sheet and get in touch via email.