Friday 8 August is known for celebrating International Cat Day and Dustin Hoffman's birthday. In 2025, it also marked the opening of Guildford's newest independent bookshop and community space.
Tucked away in Jeffries Passage, Paper Moon Bookshop opened its doors on 8 August 2025. Owners Hannah Richardson and Jack Mountford welcomed customers as the Mayor of Guildford officially opened the shop. The launch was widely celebrated as Guildford's first new independent bookshop in more than 20 years.
The couple, who met while working at an independent bookshop, turned their shared love of books into a space for readers of all ages.
Their hard work was recognised in July 2026 when Paper Moon won the New Business of the Year Award at the Experience Guildford Business Awards.
Paper Moon's growing calendar of events has built a loyal community, bringing together readers, authors and families year-round. It has become a welcoming hub for people who love books and want to support independent bookselling. Upstairs, a cosy seating area offers the perfect spot to read, meet or simply unwind.
A year on, Paper Moon is going strong. Alongside its carefully curated collection spanning every genre, it offers a range of bookish gifts, including notebooks, book holders, bookmarks and enamel pins. It has also established itself as a welcoming community hub, hosting book launches and clubs, author events and regular gatherings for local readers.
Judging by its first year, Paper Moon shows no signs of slowing down.
