OUR Trader of the Week this week is a shop that has been serving the people of Whitehaven for over fifty years.

Michael Moon's Book Shop on Lowther Street has been providing readers with thousands of books for over half a century.

Michael Moon, the owner, has now began to involve his family who are helping to carry on his legacy and distribute his books far and wide.

Mr Moon said: "We've been open for fifty years and we hope to stay open for another fifty.

"It's a family business so it will carry on.

"We're supplying people with something that they need.

"People don't know that they need books but we always will we are doomed without them.

"A book will always outlast you."

Michael explained that he came to the area back in the 1960s to work at West Cumberland Hospital.

At age twenty six he decided that his passion lay with books and he set up his own shop which has remained a popular feature ever since.

He currently only owns one shop but thanks to his family has managed to be able to sell his books online.

Together he and his family have managed to get him known in a number of countries for selling quality books.

Michael is also passionate about Whitehaven which he calls his 'adopted town.'

He has written and published several books about the history of the area among with numerous others.

These books are much loved in the community with his shop and his work being well recognised in the local area.

Because of the pandemic many people have chosen not to come into the store which has been a struggle for Michael.

Now that restrictions are easing Michael has stressed the importance of coming back into shops to help businesses and provide a unique customer experience.

Mr Moon said: "People like our shop because it reminds them of home; it's untidy and full of strangers."

The shop itself has thirteen rooms with an inventory of 35,000 and with the help of those around him most of these books are available to buy online.

After so many years Michael Moon's bookshop shows no signs of giving up and the Moon's will be looking to take the business far into the future.