If you fancy celebrating a birthday this weekend and making savings into the bargain, then drop into Linghams on Telegraph Road on Saturday.

It's six years since Sue Porter took the business on - almost two of which have seen her and her team swimming furiously upstream against the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Linghams - an independent book shop, the sort of thing every local high street should be able to enjoy and we are lucky to have - is still standing, and Sue is marking both survival and an anniversary by offering a ten percent discount off books, stationery and toys on offer in the shop, and the same on coffees in the Linghams cafe...

...which will also celebrate its first birthday under her control, as opposed to being a concession.

Perhaps you know someone with a birthday coming up: buy him or her a book, or a toy - but probably not a coffee, which might be regarded as disappointing.

Sue said: "It's worth remembering that local shops can offer unique selling experiences. Linghams can't compete with amazon, so please don't ask us to match amazon prices, but we can do what online book stores can't do.

"All our staff, and me, are avid readers, so if you come into the shop and you're not quite certain what you want, perhaps it's a book you want to give as a present, then the chances are we can give real expert advice that means you can go away with just what you need. It's warm, it's friendly, very knowledgeable, and much quicker than doing an online search.

"Make the most of your local businesses. Have a bite to eat in Isabelle's, order a new bathroom from Inspired, some clothes from Sue Huntingon, books from Linghams, obviously, and make time for all the other independents in town.

"We are so thankful to all who have been on our journey from our first event with Rosie Millard to hosting Gary Barlow for 1200 people! To Michael Palin working behind the till! To surviving an unseen threat the last 18 months!

"Here's to the next 6 years and more!"