On the 28th of October 2022, the popular Oakham Book Swap boxes will be leaving Dean's Street and relocating permanently to Tyne Road, where the book boxes will be from Saturday the 29th of October.

Founded and maintained by Lisa Batty, the Oakham Book Swap has been running for over two years, being supported by upwards of 200 keen local book worms.

The initiative began as a pop-up book shop based outside Lisa's home in Dean's Street, Oakham, a place for interested parties to swap and exchange books for free.

Lisa said: "I started the book swap in April 2020 during lockdown - I've always loved the idea of starting a local book swap, having been a Bookcrossing member for several years, but didn't really know how to do it. When we went into lockdown and charity shops and cafes closed I had nowhere to leave my books for others to enjoy, so I decided to leave a few in a box on my doorstep, hoping that some might be left too!"

Displaying the wonderful community spirit that Oakham can be proud of, the book swap flourished, with Lisa now having two or three boxes outside her home most days - weather permitting.

Lisa from the Oakham Book Swap shared on the Book Swap social media: "We'd like to thank everyone who has visited us and contributed over the past two and a half years since we started with a small box during that first lockdown - it has been amazing that thousands of books have now passed through our boxes!

"We know the new location will be a bit far out of town for some of you, so we are planning a monthly event where all books (not just a box or two!) will be available to browse to make the extra distance worthwhile."

Image courtesy of Oakham Book Swap.

The dates for these events will be announced on the Oakham Book Swap Facebook page soon.

They added: "We're also aiming to do some more frequent 'in the wild' book drops, so keep an eye on the town's benches for random books! We hope to 'pop-up' at other events in town in future, too."

Friday the 28th of October will be the last day that users can access the book boxes in Dean's Street for both leaving and taking books, so head down before the end of the week to drop off any read books and pick up some new reads.

Alternatively, visit the relocated boxes on Tyne Road, on the corner with Avon Close, likely near the street sign.