IN the current economic climate any independent shop should be applauded for remaining open for business.

But for a bookshop it's even more impressive, which is why the Wivenhoe Bookshop really does deserve its Big Book Bash taking place at the William Loveless Hall at the end of the month.

The late Jean Harding and Penny Bell founded the Wivenhoe Bookshop in 1976, with the recently retired Ginny Waters running it for a good many years before the current owner, Sue Finn, took it over two years ago.

Sue says: "I've been in Wivenhoe for more than 30 years, I love bookshops and I love books, that's why I took it over when Ginny retired. I had also been working in the shop for more than 20 years so I knew what a special place it was and how loyal the customers have been over the years."

Which they remain today.

"Wivenhoe is such a diverse community," she adds, "and because of that we have lots of interesting customers who come in asking for all kinds of different books.

"I like to think our greatest asset is the personal service we offer to people, suggesting books they might like.

"It's the same with the collection of books we have in the shop. I see it as more curating than anything else although we're always listening to what our customers want."

To mark the 40th anniversary milestone Sue has managed to pull in a few favours from some pretty big literary heavyweights including A L Kennedy whose latest novel Serious Sweet was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Sue will also be joined on the night by Paul McVeigh, who is the co-founder of the London Short Story Festival and winner of the 2016 Polari Prize, local favourite, Martin Newell and Band of Fools with their blend of gypsy, Klezmer and Balkan folk with shades of swing and jazz.

As the focal point for much of the cultural goings-on in the estuary town it seems entirely appropriate the Wivenhoe Bookshop should be celebrating with a literary cabaret of sorts.

Sue says: "I think it fits in with what the bookshop has been about for many years.

"We regularly hold book launches and have even published local works ourselves. Then there's our shed at the back of the shop where we host what I like to call our 'Further Shed'ucation' projects."

That includes a regular philosophy breakfast on Saturday mornings and a knit and natter group, which is called Wooley Thoughts and takes place on Wednesday mornings.

"I'm so pleased we've managed to great line-up for the event," Sue tells me, "we just need people to come along and celebrate with us."

Which judging by the bookshop's past, they certainly will.

The Big Book Bash takes place at the William Loveless Hall, High Street, Wivenhoe, on October 29 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15, available from the shop on 01206 824050.