THE delayed official opening of Watchet’s Harbour Community Bookshop finally took place last Saturday when Serena Wilson, regional community development and fund-raising manager of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, cut a ceremonial tape.

She told volunteers: “The phenomenal amount you have raised is really helping to change lives so that all those with cystic fibrosis are physically well, mentally well and able to reach their full potential. We really can’t thank you all enough!”

Since it opened, the Esplanade bookshop has donated almost £140,000 to the CF Trust and about £75,000 to local voluntary groups and good causes.

The building is now owned by the Watchet Coastal Community Team which obtained grants for its purchase and complete refurbishment that was undertaken in 2020/21 by local builders B Walsh and Sons.

The shop has customers from all over the UK. There was also a customer from Spain who was pleasantly surprised to find a book that they had been seeking for some time.

Some customers have said that they visited Watchet specifically go to the bookshop and then sought out what else Watchet had to offer.

The bookshop opens 10.30am to 4.30pm every day until the end of October. The shop relies upon donations of books but a spokesman said: “Because of the public’s generosity our book stores are full to the brim and regrettably we are unable to accept donations at present, but will be pleased to do so in the very near future.”