Kim's Bookshop
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Kim's Bookshop
Try us first if you are selling books, after assessing your collection we can arrange appointments to visit you if you live locally. Kim's Bookshop The second life of books With the passage of time books accumulate in houses, there will be occasions when they need new homes. We are keen to buy your saleable books at a fair price.

Both our shops carry a huge range of fiction and non-fiction books all carefully shelved and fairly priced. Our friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to assist. From individual titles to entire collections, we would love to hear from you if you have books to sell. If you have a rare or unusual book or are simply unsure about the value of your collection, come and speak to an expert, we are always happy to chat to you.
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Kim's Bookshop was started in 1971 in Worthing by Kim Francombe an avid book collector whose vast collection started taking over her house. Outgrowing her front room, she opened a small shop in West Buildings, Worthing with a stock of 250 books. This shop became a well-known glory hole of interesting volumes and was soon recognised for the enthusiasm and knowledge of Kim and her eldest daughter Camilla.
Apart from a visit to our bookshop which is located at the bottom of the High Street, there is much to see and do in the medieval town of Arundel. Referred to in the Doomsday Book of 1086 this Saxon town is dominated by the castle which was originally established by Roger de Montgomery in 1067.

The latter part of the 16th century saw the Earldom and castle pass into the hands of the Duke of Norfolk whose family, to this day, still reside in the castle.Vying for dominance over the town, is the beautiful Gothic Cathedral built by Henry, the 15th Duke of Norfolk. We carry a vast array of books in both our shops covering everything from Art and Architecture to Zoology and Zoroastrianism.
Our Chichester shop is located in the County Town of the same and with its coveted Blue Plaque, shares a little of the history of this Cathedral City. The area was settled by the Romans in AD 43 and, standing as it does on the foundations of the Romano-British city of Noviomagus Reginorum, was linked to London and Silchester by the Roman road of Stane Street.
Although we are keen to buy older and rarer items, we also need to continually replenish our general stock. Specialist subjects are of particular interest to us, but we are happy to consider all subjects and genres. We are also keen to buy old photograph albums, ephemera, postcards and old travel journals.
Still looking for that elusive title? Something you recall reading as a child perhaps or maybe that final book in a trilogy? Whatever the reason, we are always delighted to assist you in finding a copy; be it new or second hand, if we don't have a copy in stock we will do all we can to find it for you.
Reviews (14)
Graham Ward
Graham Ward
Aug 20, 2021
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This is an excellent traditional bookshop. Worth a detour to visit and you're sure to find something of interest.
Diana Rodriguez Bonet
Diana Rodriguez Bonet
Jul 28, 2021
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Lovely store where it's impossible not to buy something. The shop assistants are very nice and helpful.
Jack Evans
Jack Evans
Jan 18, 2021
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There are only two good things in Chichester: Kim's Bookshop and Café Paradiso. Kim's always has a great selection, good prices and friendly staff such a shame that the same can't be said for the rest of this dreadful town.
Vincent Bossley
Vincent Bossley
Dec 08, 2020
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Wonderful service with friendly and most helpful staff. Enquiring from Australia, Kim's was the only store in the UK to offer to order in a copy of the book I was searching for. Went the extra mile. Will always recommend Kim's of Chichester in future.
Steve
Steve
Jun 15, 2020
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As good as the Arundel branch. Comprehensive range of second hand books. Particularly liked the Observer series shelf. Found the final book of the Evelyn Waugh Sword of Honour trilogy having bought the first two in Arundel yesterday.
John E. Sykes
John E. Sykes
Mar 29, 2020
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At a time when so many bookshops have closed the fact that Kim's is thriving says it all
Michael Blake
Michael Blake
Mar 01, 2020
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The variety of books is huge, quiet & clean store in a great setting.
William Hill
William Hill
Jan 17, 2020
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An increasingly rare independent second hand bookshop of exceptional quality. I'm only able to visit on theatre trips but I always leave with something.
Larry Boyd
Larry Boyd
Aug 07, 2019
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As ever an aladins cave of books and a pleasant diversion in which I always end up spending way too much but come away happy and satisfied highly recommended to book lovers of the world visiting Chichester.
Cara Given
Cara Given
Jun 16, 2019
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Amazing selection of books! Could have been friendlier in the morning I visited tbf. Still 5 stars as it may have been a temp.
Trevor Hayman
Trevor Hayman
May 16, 2019
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I never walk past without looking in and I never leave empty handed ...
Jade Symons
Jade Symons
Jan 24, 2019
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A wonderful little bookshop in Chichester. It feels like you’re stepping back in time here, away from the fast pace of modern life and into a simpler time. The walls are lined with fascinating tomes of all genres, from history and fantasy to travel guides and children’s books.
Richard Stretton
Richard Stretton
Jan 12, 2019
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The Arundel branch is one of the best bookshops I've ever visited. Fabulous range, great prices and an awesome building to boot.
Ashlea Walters
Ashlea Walters
Nov 23, 2016
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A lovely book shop with so much character. I felt so at ease having a look round. An amazing collection of books, makes it feel like you are in Narnia for books. Prices are good as well. I didn't want to leave and will definatly be returning.