Back Alley Books

28/05/2026

You’re probably wondering why I’m posting a picture of another business on this page?

Well the whole point of opening the town’s smallest independent bookshop was to bring a little positivity back into the town centre.

But Back Alley Books is certainly not the only positive in the town, and I want to use this page occasionally to highlight independent businesses across our area that are fantastic and that I love.

And the first one is Calabrese. A small taste of Italy, located on Yelverton Road just a few meters from our shop. The staff are super friendly, it has a very cute interior and the food is to die for. They do these truffle and mushroom pizza slices that are gorgeous, and a steal at £3.50.

Having lived in Italy for a year it always takes me back. Couldn’t recommend it more.

Anyways the Bookshop is open this weekend again times are below, get down to this part of town for Shakespeare and a slice, you won’t regret it.

Opening times:

Friday: 11am - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 10am - 2pm

23/05/2026

GRAB YOURSELF A BOOK AND GET DOWN THE BEACH!!

It’s shaping up to be a glorious day, so pop in, get yourself a nice secondhand book and lounge about in the sun, you’ve earned it.

We’re open until 4pm today, and we are (I think) the nearest independent bookshop to Bournemouth beach, less than a ten minute walk away.

I’ve just been down there to finish off this gorgeous book about a man called Ken Smith who spent his life in the Scottish wilderness living of the land, it’s packed with beautiful messages on how to slow your life down and look after yourself.

My biggest take away was this; ‘You shouldn’t feel self-conscious about saying a few kind words to the things that grow in your garden. You shouldn’t feel self-conscious about saying kind words to anything.’

And in that vain, if you’re reading this you’re fantastic and hopefully I see you today, but if not have a lovely weekend in the sunshine 🌞

20/05/2026

Back this weekend and back with something special. Since we opened we’ve had quite a few customers enquiring about and requesting the creation of tote bags.

So I’ve had a few made up, this will be a limited run of this design. So get them while you can. Locally made by Barritt Garment Printing from recycled materials, they are a steal at £8 or £7 with any purchase.

Modelled here by the brilliant Artist Betsy. They are very stylish, and handy for all your second hand books. Get them whilst you can!

Our opening times this weekend are:

Friday: 12pm - 4pm

Saturday: 10am - 4pm

Sunday: Closed

Bank Holiday Monday: 12pm - 4pm

Looking forward to seeing you all 😇

08/05/2026

Hi everyone,

I did have a cute post prepared, celebrating the legend that is Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, with the fact we’ve got a couple of lovely books in dedicated to him, including a beautifully illustrated children’s book. And the opening times you could get your hands on them.

But unfortunately I was up most of the night with a fever again. This morning I’m feeling a bit ropey, better than last night, but don’t want to risk passing anything on or setting back recovery.

I’m very frustrated with myself and my body again, but I think I’m making a sensible decision this weekend not to open. Apologies for any inconvenience, it might be a bit stop start over the next month.

How Sir David has made it 100 years of age, as I find myself struggling to get to 32 is quite phenomenal 😆. What a human being.

Thanks for your understanding, will keep you updated for opening times next weekend.

01/05/2026

We now stock Pier Journal the artsy, independent and free magazine which celebrates everything local. It gives hot tips on what’s going on in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as wider Dorset.

And this quarter’s edition even includes a little bit on Bournemouth’s newest second hand bookshop!

Feel free to pick one up from tomorrow 10am.

29/04/2026

After a lovely return last weekend, we are open again from TOMORROW (yes crazy open on a Thursday?!) our opening times are below:

Thursday - 11am-4pm
Friday - 11am- 4pm
Saturday - 10am - 3pm
Sunday - Closed

As always really appreciate your custom and your support. We’ve got loads of new selections in, including this lovely copy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet; to buy or not to buy, that is the question.

26/04/2026

First weekend back in a while, and I really enjoyed it, so many lovely customers and lots of books bought, we've now sold over 200 books in three weekends since we started.

Thanks to everyone who came by and supported, really appreciated, this a selection of the books sold this weekend 😇

24/04/2026

Thanks for the kind words and for popping in!

Another day, another local second-hand bookshop! This little gem opened recently, and it may be small but there are plenty of great books to choose from. Will be back there soon!

23/04/2026

Thank you for your patience with me, after a bad case of pneumonia, pleurisy on top, a few hospital stays and a collapsed lung (which I'm still recovering from), I'm feeling well enough to get the shop open again this weekend.

And just in time for the Bournemouth Writing Festival which is really exciting, with lots of enthusiastic readers and writers in town!

Can't wait to welcome you back, thank you all for your kind messages, opening times are:

Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 2pm

26/03/2026

Unfortunately I’ve not got any better, in fact I’ve been in hospital the last couple of nights, so I won’t be opening this weekend, or next weekend to make sure I am better.

Again I am really sorry. Today should mark a celebration as it is a month since I opened the door of the shop, but unfortunately due to my health I’ve only been able to get it open for two weekends.

Thankfully though your wonderful custom over those two weekends have covered the costs of the shop for at least six weeks.

I really can’t wait to get back to it.

A month into it, it’s been fun, to paraphrase the Beatles, me and my dad took a sad shop and made it better. And that I am very proud of.

I have some nice things lined up when I am back. So watch this space, apologies again for any inconvenience, I am gutted.

20/03/2026

Hi All,

Just an update on the below, the doctor has said I’ve got Pneumonia, and has given me antibiotics and instructions to rest, so no shop this weekend,

Sincere apologies again,

Kieron