“BOOKAFÉ? NEVER HEARD OF THEM,” I hear you say. Nor had I until an intriguing email landed in my inbox: Hello. We’d like to register with UKCBD…
Weird name, I thought, but I believe in living dangerously: I hit the link and found myself looking at a Portuguese website featuring a Christian bookshop and café in London. Google were on the case and offered to translate, but needn’t have bothered: there was an English language version available anyway, and the London venue turned out to have its own facebook page, twitter feed and youtube channel:
I use the term venue intentionally: it was immediately obvious that this was something more than just another Christian bookshop/café. With a few notable exceptions (Keith Jones Bournemouth, for example) Christian bookshops and cafés don’t tend to get many likes on facebook: this place, when I checked just before hitting ‘Publish’, had 697; most count themselves blessed if they get more than 100, whilst a handful make it to the heady realms of 400+.
So here’s my question for all of the Christian retailers out there struggling to draw in the crowds: what have BooKafé got that you haven’t? Why do BooKafé seem to be succeeding where Living Oasis — to cite the most obvious similar venture here in the UK — failed so spectacularly? How has this project managed to grow from its Latin American roots in just 5 years into the global phenomenon that it has now become, with some 300 venues in 19 countries?
One obvious difference, continuing the Living Oasis comparison, is that they’re not shy about their faith: Living Oasis set out to “de-Christianise” their shop windows; BooKafé are totally upfront with their Christianity — no one is going to wonder into a BooKafé venue and express surprise at discovering the faith basis. But that said, the same is true of most Christian bookshops and cafés: Living Oasis were an exception to that rule.
Is it something to do with up-to-date, customer-focused design and shopfitting? Volunteer staff, reducing overheads? Location? A vibrant atmosphere? Prayer? Or something else entirely?
I don’t know the answer; but I do know that next time I’m in London I plan to take a look, to visit and explore. If you’re in London, why not do likewise — and let us know what you discover?
One question remains: where next for BooKafé? There’s certainly plenty of space in other towns and cities here in the UK.
What wonderful news, Phil! I’ve liked and followed them. I’ll be over in June–hope I can drop in in person then. thanks for letting us know.
Hello looks a good. Though a little far from me now as I’ve like many Londoners have moved away from the city but I know the area well of the London bookafe ,as I lived down the road in Wood Green. I hope to pay it a visit in the near future as I occasionally go back to visit friends . I hope to bring one or two Christian books to share.What are the cafe’s opening hours?
All the best in this God given idea. Philip Walker
Thanks for stopping by, Philip. Opening hours as supplied to me for BooKafé’s UKCBD entry are:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5.30pm
Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Hi Phil
Thanks for the information on opening times. I should have read all the info of Bookafe….but didn’t have the time.
What have you to do with Bookafe?
Keep safe and saved Phil.
Keeping saved is in God’s hands so no worries there; keeping safe is another story, but I do my best.
BooKafé: I have no involvement; I’m the webmaster/news editor for UKCBD (UK Christian Bookshops Directory) — BooKafé happen to be the latest directory entry.
Hi brothers and sisters! Jesus is Lord! Please let me know if your books are in English or Portuguese? and where about you are in London post code? phone? and if you have got any books by Watchman / Nee and Watchman Lee or just by the brother Dong Yu Lan?? Thanks god bless you all! Ed
It’s unlikely that anyone from BooKafé will see your message here, Ed: you’ll find the contact info you need in their UKCBD entry; see my earlier comment for the link.
Thanks God bless you brother Phil!
Thanks for the advice Phil I might give this UKCBD a go. All the best Phil