The much-loved Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) charity book and music shop is set to reopen on Saturday (May 1).

The new premises in Brimscombe has been skilfully renovated by CCT volunteers over the past few months.

Mo Francis, volunteer manager, said: "We cannot wait to reopen the Cotswold Canal Trust Charity Bookshop at its new home. 

"A lot of hard work by many, many volunteers has taken place over the last year. Covid did not make it easy, but we have achieved our goal. We now have a magnificent resource for the community that will raise money for the restoration of the Cotswold Canals."

Specialising in second-hand books, jigsaws, records and CDs, and framed pictures the bookshop is a major source of fundraising helping canal restoration. With massive stock of hardback and paperback books, it is probably the largest source of books outside the County Library network.

Staffed by volunteers, the bookshop has a friendly children's section, a very large fiction area plus specialised sections on travel, history, art, gardening, cookery, canals, biographies and many more topics providing a very comprehensive collection to browse and purchase at very low prices.

The music area specialises in hard-to-find vintage 78s but also has a great stock of music from all genres including LPs, CDs and DVDs.

Visitors are made welcome with complimentary hot drinks. In addition, soft drinks and ice creams are available for sale. The bookshop incorporates a Visitor Centre providing information on the Cotswold Canals and ongoing restoration work.

Situated at Brimscombe Corner close by the Ship Inn, the bookshop is only a few miles from the centre of Stroud and on several bus routes.

The relocation and refurbishment was generously supported by many volunteers and local businesses including Chalford Building Supplies Ltd and Mathew Creed; MB Frames PVCu Ltd and Andy Burns; Marlings Ltd and Mark Maynard; Francis Jones; Rexel Ltd and Chris Antone; Clearwater Properties Ltd and Alvin Lindley; Stroud Office Interiors Ltd and Nick Martin & Linda Jones; SG Bailey (Paints) Ltd and Richard Townsend.

The shop will be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm. Donations will be accepted from May 8 onwards.