Bookstore with focus on female writers increases Durham footprint.
Local independent bookshop, Collected Books, which specialises in works written by women, is set to almost double its footprint at the Riverwalk in Durham, having agreed a nine-year lease at the unit below its current store.

Founded by Durham local, Emma Hamlett, Collected Books will expand its premises from its current 820 sq ft plot to over 1,400 sq ft, after Clearbell Property Partners II LP (Clearbell) – a fund managed by private equity real estate fund management and advisory business Clearbell Capital LLP – agreed a new lease of the adjacent unit.
The growth follows Collected Books’ continued popularity since the opening of its first bricks and mortar shop in September 2022. The store’s in-house café-bar allows customers to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine and cake while they browse and readers can also attend monthly book and social clubs, as well as author ‘in conversation’ events and special late night shopping evenings with live DJs.
Collected Books is one of several retailers at the leisure destination, which overlooks the River Wear and boasts impressive views of Durham’s historic cathedral and castle. Clearbell purchased the 250,000 sq ft Riverwalk in 2014.
The success of Collected Books at the Riverwalk is testament to the continued importance of independent shops on the high street. The expansion of the store means that even more people will be able to access its huge range of literature. Listening to the needs of the Riverwalk’s customers is a key part of our active asset management, so it’s great to see demand for this shop driving growth.”
Toby Saul, Director at Clearbell Capital
Working with Clearbell on the next steps of Collected Books’ development has been a great experience. We’re excited to become even more immersed in Durham’s literary scene and look forward to exploring and enjoying the new opportunities to bring even more great reading, written by great women, that a larger store will create.”
Emma Hamlett, Founder of Collected Books
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