Nestled in a quiet spot at the edge of Selsdon Woods you can find Greenvale Community Bookshop. Originally set up during covid by volunteers, a new team has recently taken over, with big plans.

Pay what you like: volunteers claim the shipping container book exchange in Selsdon is unique

Jen David, a member of the new team of volunteers, told Inside Croydon, “Andy and Nicci have left us some huge shoes to fill, but they’ve created a truly one-off community space and we’re looking forward to maintaining their legacy, welcoming new readers and meeting their loyal customers”.

The bookshop is unlike any other – for a start, it has no physical building and instead operates out of three storage containers. What makes it unique is that none of the stock is priced.

Customers are asked to donate what they can, with a minimum of £1 per book. All proceeds going to support local children.

Books are donated every week by residents, making it the perfect place to leave your good quality fiction after a declutter, and to stock up on your next must-reads. While you’re there, you can take a seat in the Reading Retreat for a chat or relax with a hot drink. “The team is just as focused on building community as it is on selling books,” David said.

Open from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, the bookshop is located at Greenvale Primary School on Sandpiper Road (CR2 8PR) and stocks thousands of books for all ages.

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