Much-loved Brighton bookshop Afrori Books, a shop that specialises in black literature, is facing a challenge to stay open due their monthly payment due to their landlord quadrupling from April 1st 2023 onwards.
Opened in 2021 inside Brighton charity Lighthouse's premises in North Laine, Afrori Books stock the biggest selection of books by Black Authors in the UK. They also host community events such as craft morning, book clubs and talks with authors.
Afrori has been using the space for 18 months after Lighthouse initially invited them to use the space for free. Afrori then agreed to paying service costs with the increase in energy costs affecting their landlord. However, Lighthouse's main funder will be withdrawing support from March 2023 onwards and, with the revised price of rent not feasible for the independent book shop, Afrori are raising money to find a new space.
A quote on Afrori Book's Crowdfunder from founder Carolyn Bates reads:
"To start again in new premises is expensive, we need £25,000 and we just don't have that kind of money.
The money raised would ensure that we could cover the moving costs, deposits, advance rent, solicitors fees, shop fitting as well as some of the essential items we need for the events and workshops, like chairs, that are a big part of what we do in the community.
We want to continue on our mission plan to, Support black authors. Create diverse bookshelves. Be a voice against injustice.
Every £1 you give genuinely makes a difference and will help us keep being a safe space in the city for marginalised people.
We exist because of you. We will continue to exist because of you."
To support Afrori Books, head to their Crowdfunder.