First 'books for free' unit opens in Lowestoft town centre

A charity that has given away more than a million free books across its book shops nationally has opened its first 'books for free' unit in Lowestoft.

GET Free Books Lowestoft is officially opened in the town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The literacy charity Global Educational Trust (GET) officially opened its new shop in Lowestoft town centre on Tuesday.

GET Free Books has transformed the empty retail shop at 80 London Road North - which was built in 1860 and was previously a Burton menswear store for a number of years, until it ceased trading in June 2020.

GET Free Books Lowestoft is officially opened in the town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) It then became the Limelite fashion store for several months, but has been empty for more than three years.

Change of use plans to turn the store into an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) were given the go-ahead in December last year, but the development has since stalled.

GET Free Books Lowestoft is officially opened in the town centre. Picture: Mick Howes  (Image: Mick Howes) Now the charity's 27th store - GET Free Books Lowestoft - has been officially unveiled by co-founders and trustees, alongside store volunteers, Lowestoft town mayor Nasima Begum and town councillors. 

The charity was founded in 2011 by operations director, Yusuf Bashforth, and trustee Junaid Rahim.

The co-founders had recalled how they gave away around 300 books they had in their lofts for free on a market stall in Wakefield - and it grew from there.

Mayor of Lowestoft Nasima Begum with Yusuf Bashforth, Junaid Rahim and volunteers as GET Free Books Lowestoft is officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Now the charity recycles books which are otherwise destined for landfill - as the community in each of its areas donates books that are no longer needed.

Its books for free units are set up in collaboration with landlords who provide premises free of charge until a new tenant is found.

At the stores people are invited to take away three books for free.

Volunteers as GET Free Books Lowestoft is officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Mr Bashforth said: "The service that GET provides has become an essential resource for every community in which we establish.

"We've now got 27 stores up and down the country and we want to extend that.

"This is a great site here in Lowestoft and the volunteers have done a fantastic job to transform this unit."

Lead volunteer Vanessa McAuley at the official opening of GET Free Books Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Lead volunteer Vanessa McAuley said the Lowestoft shop - which has "something for everyone" - has been well received.

As well as donations of books, GET Free Books Lowestoft is also appealing for further bookshelves in the shop, which is currently open 10am to 3pm on Tuesday's and Thursday's.

Help needed at GET Free Books Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Visit its Facebook page for details. Search for GET Free Books Lowestoft.