Owner of Kemps Books shares how independent shops create a 'unique' high street
Just on the edge of Wetherby Market place is Kemps Books, a book and gift emporium.
Step inside their doors and you’ll find books of all shapes, sizes, and genres, alongside games, jigsaws, mugs, and much, much more.
Kemps Books first arrived in Wetherby in August 2024 after fellow independent bookshop Reading Roots closed just a few streets away.
The store is run by Jonathan Wurr alongside his partner Liz Kemp, who also runs the brand’s sister store in Malton.
As research from the Bookseller’s Association highlighted that independent bookshops are a vital part of England’s cultural and social landscape, the pair believed a bookshop was needed in Wetherby town centre.
Jonathan said: “Reading transports you out of this world into somebody else’s head and somebody else’s life. I’m not sure anything does that quite like a book.
“Market towns deserve a bookshop and a market town of this size can sustain it commercially.
“It also deserves to have one because we genuinely believe they’re an important part of the high street.”
They took over 45 High Street in Wetherby, a space which used to be a hairdressers and a gelateria. Now, it’s an “emporium of the beautiful and the unusual”, with a range of books and gifts to suit all tastes.
Kemps Books fits into a scene of independent gift stores in Wetherby including Design @ Six, Willow & Sage Gifts, and Castlegate Stationery.
According to Jonathan, the businesses have a friendly relationship, and even happily signpost customers to each other’s shops because ultimately they are “stronger together.”
Jonathan said: “The high street is under pressure and one of the ways towns get better is by collaborating more effectively.
“What we want is for people to say I can get everything I want in Wetherby. I can go to my local town and I’ve got a really great choice of things.
“If people find what they want in Wetherby, even if its not in my shop, my shop benefits because it means people will go ‘I’ll try Wetherby first’”.
Together, Jonathan believes the independent shops offer a “uniqueness” you perhaps would struggle to find in a busier shopping district.
Kemps Books thrives on creating an “experience” for the customer. Inside, not only are you invited to sit down to chill or even try their communal jigsaw, but staff take the time to offer personalised recommendations.
Jonathan keenly praises his “great” staff who are prepared to “own any problem” a customer comes in with and take the time to find the exact book or gift they are looking for.
For Jonathan, it’s a “goose bump” inducing experience whenever a customer returns to share that they loved what they bought.
Jonathan said: “We’ve got to create a great experience because every book in my shop you can get from Amazon.
“What I love is when my members of staff get feedback that the book you recommended was brilliant.”
“I cannot tell you how heart-warming it is when next week somebody comes back in.”
A year and a half into business in Wetherby, Kemps Books is still building their bookshop brand by building relationships with local schools, creating innovative events, and crucially prioritising customer care.
However, the shop has already cemented in the both heart of Wetherby town centre and the village community.
Jonathan said: “It’s 18 months here and starting a business is not easy even if we’ve got some experience.
“But in the last few months I’ve felt really proud of what we’ve created here for what it means for us and what it means for Wetherby.”