In 2008, Skoob Books returned to business in the Brunswick Centre and we’re delighted to say it’s still going strong. The 2,500 square feet of floor space may be in a basement with concrete walls and exposed piping, but the operation is light and airy, and recent reshuffles have made it more logical to navigate the 55,000 titles on display, which cover almost every subject imaginable – from philosophy, biography, maths and science to languages, literature and criticism, art, history, economics and politics.
Holdings are regularly refreshed with stock from the Oxford warehouse that’s also run by personable owner Chris Edwards. As other bookshops round the country collapse, Skoob buys their stock and now holds well over a million books. Unlike its name, Skoob is not backward in coming forwards, and long may it continue. There’s a discount for students and 10 per cent off for Curzon cinema card holders.