When I moved into Stroud Green 22 years ago I often popped into New Beacon Books to buy books by African, Caribbean and Asian writers. So I was so glad to attend the re-launch of the shop on Saturday 7th October.
New Beacon Books has been in Stroud Green since 1966, set up as a Black publishing company by John La Rose and Sarah White. Later, in 1973, it was established as a bookshop with the aim of encouraging Black writers and to sell books by Black writers, sadly lacking in other bookshops. John and Sarah were active campaigners in the educational field aiming in particular to address the negative stereotyping of Black schoolchildren. John La Rose also established the George Padmore Institute, an archive, educational resource and research centre of materials relating to the Black community of Caribbean, African and Asian descent in Britain and continental Europe. It holds educational and cultural activities, including talks and readings, and also makes its archives accessible to the general public.
The growth of ebooks over the past few years meant that sales of books decreased, leading to an insecure future for New Beacon Books. However, John La Rose’s grandson, Ronaldo, and his family launched a ‘gofundme’ campaign to raise money for a refurbishment, quickly exceeding the target of £10,000.
Today the bookshop is light and airy with space for a small coffee bar and a meeting place at the back.
It’s also colourful with paintings of Black women on the ceiling.
I went to the launch with one of our councillors, Kirsten Hearn, and we also bumped into Catherine West, our MP. There were speeches by Ronaldo La Rose and Sarah White as well as those who have been supporters of the bookshop for years: Professor Gus John and MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbot.
Gus John spoke movingly about how important it was to give positive images to Black schoolchildren. Do read his informative lecture, given at the British Library in December of last year, in which he celebrates 50 years of New Beacon Books.
New Beacon Books is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 am to 6 pm; Thursday 11 am to 8 pm
notjuststroudgreen.wordpress.com 
Good to see you back on the blog, lovely post and photos
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Thanks! It feels good to be back on the blog. I love it that there are two of you from our course who blog weekly without fail!
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Wow. Great piece. Really like it… and would love to see the shop!
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Well, you’ll have to visit again. Perhaps come for a meal at La Fabrica when next in London.
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Great post Kamila. It takes me back… when I was head of an English department in Hackney, I used to order all our books from New Beacon. They always arrived on time, and it was good to know that they had come via such a great, independent bookshop. Long may New Beacon continue!
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Exactly! It’s great to see the revival! And still in the family.
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