Quirky new ‘book bar’ with wine, cheese and books opens in North Devon

Bookworms, wine lovers and cheese enthusiasts were delighted when new venture Tipsy Books opened its doors on Grenville Street in Bideford.

The brainchild of Heidi and Andrew Wickham, the combined bookshop and wine bar was packed to the rafters on opening day, December 3, with curious locals piling in to enjoy a glass or two while they browsed the shelves. The Gazette stopped by to learn more about the unique concept.

According to the experts, independent bookshops are on the up. With many people rediscovering the joys of reading during the pandemic, the lifting of restrictions has seen them return to browsing in droves.

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While larger chains still dominate the high street, a growing appetite for supporting small, local businesses has fuelled a nationwide rise in indie bookshops.

Above: Tipsy Books offers a multi-purpose space. Pictured are Andrew and Heidi Wickham with Willow, who has joined them to help with the venture.

Tipsy Books is a great example of this new wave of bookshops: an eclectic, multi-purpose space that puts just as much focus on community as it does on the volumes that line its shelves.

“We wanted to create a community hub,” Heidi told Gazette reporter Susan Marsh.

“Somewhere that people can come together and connect over a shared passion.”

Above: Plenty to browse at Tipsy Books. 

Looking at the venue’s upcoming events, it’s clear that Heidi and Andrew are committed to this vision. In the months to come, the venue will be hosting several workshops, a book club, and sessions for home educated children, with plans for an under 16s comic club, an LGBTQIA+ book club, and even a singles night ‘for nerds’ in the works.

Like many bookshops of this new era, Tipsy Books has broadened its appeal, becoming far more than just a place to buy novels.

Alongside a lively programme of events, it offers an impressive selection of wines to enjoy - ideally with a good book in hand - whether tucked into the cosy fireside nooks downstairs or perched in the more sociable, bar-style space above.

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If visitors work up an appetite after all that reading, they can fill up on snack plates of nuts and cheese - or really push the boat out with an impressive ‘cheese wreath’ for two.

Before starting up Tipsy Books, Heidi and Andrew lived very different lives as a dog groomer and solicitor respectively.

But when health reasons forced Heidi to change career, she seized the opportunity to combine three things that she loves: books, wine and cheese.

Above: Maybe there is a book on the shelves that will take your fancy?

After coming up with the idea nine months ago, the pair have worked hard to bring it to life, spending an intense four weeks before opening transforming the space and curating the right selection of books to fill it.

For now, the collection focuses on fantasy, but there are plans to expand into sci‑fi and other related genres in the future.

According to Heidi, book bars have really taken off in the USA in recent years, and she hopes that Tipsy Books will bring some of that magic to Bideford.