Worm Holes

It was a great title for the bookshop which she eventually opened in a three-storey building in Bootham, York, given that writers are constantly seeking those "wormhole" connections between other planes and worlds.

She also gave the public ample chance to slither happily to and from those worlds by amassing a comprehensive selection of new fiction and non-fiction books, high-quality good value second-hand books, plus online access to about 250,000 titles from her wholesalers.

She also launched writing workshops and book dating sessions - a combination of a book group and speed dating - to encourage Worm Hole journeys

Given that the whole setting is comfortable, with stylish, book-lined sitting rooms on the upper floors, Jo is now bidding for two titles - the Evening Press New Business Of The Year and Retailer of the Year.

Her determination to offer creative events and opportunities for people to meet through books has been a huge success, with a take-up generally between 70 per cent and 100 per cent of capacity.

The book dating, which received intense publicity in the Evening Press, is now a regular monthly event. So far 20 books have been exchanged and read - and two new relationships started.

Worm Holes has also supported local events, including a Yorkshire food cookery demonstration by Helen Lee during food and drink week, a Hallowe'en story evening by Helen Sant, alias Molly Micklethwaite, from Phantom Footsteps ghost walk, and a Viking Story evening during the Viking Festival.

The shop regularly receives the support of Yorkshire writer Gervase Phin, who keeps Worm Holes in stock with signed copies of his books.

Since opening, general shelf stock has doubled and Jo is taking her book dating idea to the Booksellers Association's Small Forum next month as a way of helping other small independent book shops to promote their businesses locally and generate interest in reading.

Updated: 10:08 Tuesday, August 10, 2004