Holmans

24/11/2025

We’ve had an amazing time celebrating Holman’s 105th anniversary and are delighted to share a summary below.

Special thank you to everyone who came to our party and Lit Fest fringe events, the people who have supported us throughout the years & also Botham’s of Whitby for kindly donating our anniversary cake as a birthday present.

We hope you enjoy the video below, and look forward to welcoming you to our shop very soon!

06/11/2025

Last reminder this week ✨

This exciting event can be booked here: https://www.peculiartourswhitby.co.uk/events

05/11/2025

Another exciting reminder, C. M. Vassie will be joining us for a book signing at Holman’s this Saturday 2pm - 4pm 📚

Come along, we look forward to seeing you all there! 👋🏻

04/11/2025

Don’t forget our first fringe event within Whitby Lit Fest takes place this Friday! 📚 🎊

Whitby's Time-Travelling Bookshop ...and a cabinet of literary curiosities - Angela O'Connor, proprietor and historian of Holman's and Rob Williams, museum archivist, talk to Kate Fenton, Lit Fest Patron, about Whitby's fascinating literary connections. Tickets available in person from the museum reception. Advance tickets can be bought through museum reception or by phone 01947 602908. Tickets are free to Lit & Phil members, £2 non-members 💰

2pm, Whitby Museum Library 📚

03/11/2025

26/10/2025

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we have organised three fringe events within the inaugural
Whitby Lit Fest 📚🎉

See below for full details ⬇️

Tickets for Madame Peculiar’s walking tour can be purchased here: https://www.peculiartourswhitby.co.uk/events

25/10/2025

Do you remember our Record Department from the 1980s? 🎶

It was in the basement, which had previously been Ernest Holman’s office and is now our award winning Card Department. Don Abbott, local DJ and former Holman’s staff member, sent in some photographs.

Do you recognise the lady in the record department photo? Let us know in the comments below ⬇️

24/10/2025

Holman’s must be a great place to work because three ladies’ employment has spanned the decades
– Lily Pybus (45 years), Olive Poulter (30 years), and Lynn Brunskill (48 years).

Myra, Lily Pybus’ great niece, has been in touch to tell us that Lily was born in 1898 and was the 5th child of a family of 12!

Here is a photograph of Lily taken in 1923 – just a few years after Ernest and Ada Holman established
their business.

23/10/2025

Thank you for sharing your memories 🧩

Following features in the Whitby Advertiser and Foghorn we have received more memories and
photographs 🥰

One stand out story came from 103-year-old Mary, who said she briefly worked at Holman’s when she was 15. Unfortunately, her employment at Holman’s was short-lived as her mother secured her a better paid job as a cleaner at the Royal Hotel. Mary was so upset she cried for days. 😢

22/10/2025

Happy Birthday Holman’s - The Book is Here! 📘 🎉

To celebrate Holman’s 105th birthday current owner Angela O’Connor has recorded the history in a commemorative book - Holman’s - Whitby’s Time Travelling Bookshop 📚

The compilation of writings, photographs & memories has been published just in time for Whitby’s first Literary Festival, taking place 6th - 9th November 2025 - which just happens to be Holman’s anniversary weekend! 🎈

Priced at £15, it is available in store and online at: www.holmansbookshop.co.uk

Grab your piece of history today & help us celebrate 105 years of Holman’s 🎉

20/10/2025

Our birthday is approaching 🎈

105 years of Holman’s! An interesting read in the gazette, and more posts coming from us soon ☺️

The shop's history has been recorded in a special commemorative book.
Feature link in comments below 👇

18/10/2025

Whitby Lit Fest is getting closer! 📕 🥳

Take a look at some of the exciting things going on during the festival, we’re sure you won’t want to miss them!

Keep an eye on our page over the next few weeks for more exciting updates 👀