A town’s only bookshop has been saved from shutting for good by an education charity.

Mr Books in Tonbridge High Street has announced that SWORDE-Teppa will be taking over.

Owner Phil Holden launched a GoFundMe page in April, after struggling to cope with the rising costs of running the shop.

He also took to social media, appealing to customers and residents to try and keep it afloat.

Previously he told KentOnline: “Energy and phone bills have increased a lot, so that has made a big difference.

“People are spending less and going out shopping less. I think we are feeling that.

“When people can go online and believe they are getting a discount on a particular book, then they very often do that.”

Even after investing more than £50,000, Phil wanted to ensure the store would carry on.

He said: “I had hoped I could build the business over five years so that it would stand on its own two feet, but the pandemic and now inflation have held us back.

“Six years on and it has been humbling that so many customers have supported us, and I think they’ll like the direction we’re taking now.”

He added: “So many people have called in expressing their hope that the shop can stay open.

“Now we can see a way forward that benefits the community and a good cause.”

‘...it has been humbling that so many customers have supported us, and I think they’ll like the direction we’re taking now.’

The bookshop has been a fixture in the town for almost 20 years, with Phil taking over in 2017.

In April 2021, he revealed that it had made only £3 in a single day, but at the time reassured customers it wouldn’t be closing.

After some months of uncertainty, the new owners have been revealed.

Charity SWORDE-Teppa is taking the reins this month and will continue to sell both new and second-hand books, as well as offering ordering and book-finding services.

Founder Paul Marchant says the charity had been trying to raise its profile for some time and a bookshop was a perfect fit, especially as its work is all about education.

“We’re looking forward to getting to know the regulars and meeting new customers,” he said.

“We want to hear from schools and other organisations that can use the bookshop.

“We plan to build on Phil’s work establishing Mr Books as a cultural centre for Tonbridge.”

Paul was born and brought up in the town, attending Cage Green and Hugh Christie schools before gaining degrees in zoology and medical entomology.

His expertise led him to Tajikistan in 1999 to lead a UN malaria control programme.

The country is surrounded by Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and is amongst the poorest in Asia.

SWORDE-Teppa has established six English and Education Centres – including an extensive library of 32,000 books, journals and DVDs.

It has also set up three regional and district libraries in Tajikistan, many of the books being donated by Tonbridge libraries.

“We started in 2000 and it grew,” Paul explained.

“Since 2005, we’ve helped many thousands of English language students and beneficiaries through environment and climate change, tree planting, health and hygiene, youth and sport, culture and local museums, as well as many other community outreach projects.

“We support ecology and tourism too in a very challenging part of the world where it is desperately needed, but it’s work that we’d like to expand to other countries.”

Paul is supported by Nicky Featherstone, who will help manage the shop whilst he directs projects in the field.

The pair aim to extend opening times, explore the possibility of serving refreshments, as well as other social initiatives and overhauling its layout.

Paul said: “It’s not just about raising money – though we need that to continue our work.

“It’s also about books and the wonderful things they can achieve.

‘If the shop can help him change more lives, then it would be amazing.’

“Through our work in Tajikistan we’ve seen how books can change lives in a positive way, open new doors and opportunities for the future of individuals, their families and their community.”

Phil added: “I’ve always said I’m not really a bibliophile, but I love what books can achieve.

“They can change people’s minds, open up new worlds and ideas.

“It’s remarkable what Paul has achieved over the years and with so little money. If the shop can help him change more lives, then it would be amazing.”