Bookseller Elaine Beardsell retires from Toll House Bookshop

Aug 20 2009 By Hazel Ettienne

Bookseller Elaine retires from Toll House Bookshop

BOOKSELLER Elaine Beardsell is starting a new chapter in her life.

She may be retiring from Holmfirth’s Toll House Bookshop after 28 years, but she is to continue to indulge her love of books by selling antiquarian books from home.

Elaine, who hails from Nottingham, and her Holmfirth-born husband Chris have been familiar faces in the town for the past three decades.

The business started in Hollowgate and then moved after two years to its current premises which will finally close its doors on Saturday, August 29.

“It’s been more than a bookshop, really a meeting place for many people,” said Elaine.

“Our local customers have been wonderful and the valley has been very supportive in keeping it going and I would like to thank everyone for the best wishes which they have sent when they heard we were closing.”

Famous faces who have visited the shop include former Tory MP and author Edwina Currie and many of the cast of the BBC’s Last of the Summer Wine sitcom which is filmed in Holmfirth.