Longest-running bookshop in Winchester under new management during pandemic

A former geology student has taken over as manager of one of the oldest bookshops in Winchester.

In March, Steve Scholey took over from Crispin Drummond as the new manager for P&G Wells, which is located on College Street.

Mr Scholey told Winol: “I trained as a geologist at a university just down the road but during an earlier recession found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place, so ended up in retail.”

He has had multiple business roles over the years, but decided P&G Wells was the perfect place for him, he said: “I needed a new challenge and since I’ve always loved books, saw this as an opportunity to work with a great team.”

It is one of the longest running businesses in Winchester, tracing its origins back to 1729, making it only nine more years until their 300th year anniversary.

Mr Scholey said: “My aim is to get us there in great shape, ready to take on our fourth century.”

A lot of changes have been made already, such as their home delivery service by bike, which Mr Scholey says helped many customers through “the dark days of lockdown”. The business’s website has also been updated, so now you can order books from them online.

P&G Wells is also the official book supplier for the University of Winchester. Mr Scholey also told Winol: “The Campus Bookshop has been doing well but we’ll need a hand – please help out by supporting your local indie bookseller. If we don’t have the book(s) you want on the shelf, please ask David, Dominic, Alex or James and we’ll do our best to get them as quickly as possible.”