A specialist bookshop has opened its doors in Cirencester.
Codex Books opened on Cricklade Street last Friday (May 13).
Jason Hale's shop sells a range of science fiction and fantasy books, as well as comics, roleplaying games and miniatures. There are also plans to stock board and card games in the future.
The 34-year old has a background in libraries, but has always wanted to open a bookshop of his own.
"I have always been around books," he said.
"I’m really into these kinds of books.
"I thought we’d just try it and see what happens. I wanted to see what the reaction would be.
'A very positive response'
"People seem to like it. I’ve had a very positive response and lots of good suggestions.
"It feels like the community has embraced it and wants it to succeed. I’m really pleased with how it’s going."
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Jason, from Witney, gave up a long-standing job with Oxfordshire Libraries to open the shop.
"I really enjoyed it, I was there for 17 years," he said.
"Since the age of 15 I’ve worked within books.
"There was an opportunity. I’ve wanted to do it for years, make the leap.
"I know the area and if it all goes well I’ll move here hopefully."
"If all goes well I’d like to hire somebody to help but at the moment it’s just me."
Jason has worked in shops before, but never run his own business. Codex now joins the likes of Octavia's and Waterstones in the town.
"We are not competing with the children’s bookshop, that was a deliberate decision," said Jason.
"Because we are specialist the competition with Waterstones is minimal.
"We want to offer a breadth of choice within the niche we’ve got.
"If people are interested in the genre hopefully they will come here."
While the shop is now open every day, with the exception of Thursday, a grand opening is planned for the summer when the finished touches are completed.
Orders can also be placed online at codex-books.co.uk
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