I have always contended that secondhand and antiquarian booksellers were the epitome of recyclers, but now we’re getting awards for our efforts.

One of the most popular antiquarian and secondhand bookshop in the North East of England has won the North Tyneside Business Forum Action on Climate Change business award.

Keel Row Books, which moved recently from North Shields to Whitley Bay, was established in 1981 and has been run since 2006 by Anthony Smithson and Alice Laverty, founders of the prestigious York Antiquarian Books Seminar, the annual not-for-profit educational course for would-be booksellers.

“Over the last decade, we have been chip, chip, chipping away at our business carbon footprint,” they said. “It’s been a positive and interesting journey. With consistent effort, our carbon emissions have reduced from modest to dainty.

“Our business model is based on reuse and is inherently low carbon. In the last year we’ve sold over 25000 books, all bought secondhand from book collectors, readers and auctions in the North East and beyond, then streamed back to market through our business. In 2023 we relocated to a low carbon premises on Park View in Whitley Bay. During the renovation of the derelict property, we invested in carbon saving features including an air to water heat pump, insulation, salvaged and reused fixtures and furniture, and new double glazed windows and shopfront. Other business carbon reduction policies include a renewable energy contract, biodegradable and reused packaging, and no flying for business purposes.”