SPOTLIGHT:

With a fresh take on indie book publishing, Catalog Bookshop has forged its own direction right outside All Saints’ Park on Oxford Road. It’s worlds apart from any other independent bookshop in Manchester because Catalog runs on wheels… literally.

By Keja Isaac Sofekun

Launched by Peter, who is originally from Greece but moved to Manchester for love, Catalog strives to offer its supporters a unique experience. He aims to prioritise quality over quantity and thrives off discovering unique and diverse titles which can’t be found anywhere else in the city. We sat down with Peter to see how he turned his passion into a career.

Where did the inspiration for Catalog come from?

When I first came to Manchester in 2015, there was a bookshop in the Northern Quarter called Magma. It has since closed down due to the pandemic, but [Magma] was my introduction to independent magazines. I didn’t know these kinds of magazines existed! I was fascinated and started going there everyday, flicking through different titles. I got hooked from there. But my love for books has always been there since I was a child. I was stuck in a job that I didn’t enjoy and I just wanted to find a getaway: to find something that I liked. The pandemic was the key thing for me to reconsider my options. After the 2020 lockdown, I decided to start my own business and that’s how I started Catalog.

Why would bookworms love Catalog in particular?

I think the unique thing about Catalog is that it’s a mobile bookshop – I don’t think there’s anything like it in Manchester. The whole idea of being able to be in different locations is great. I think people like this and also the fact that I can guide customers. If someone messages me about a title or asks me for suggestions, I’ll get back to them and find what they’re looking for. I’m not saying that other places don’t do that, but I kind of have more flexibility towards these kinds of things.

How do you maintain a sustainable business?

I try to source magazines either directly from the creator or a distributor. But if I don’t sell that issue then the magazine stays with me so I have the option to either keep it or chuck it in the bin. I don’t want to ever have to throw titles in the bin, so if I have leftover covers or magazines I donate them to the Manchester School of Art and the Manchester Fashion Institute so they can be upcycled. That’s how I try to maintain sustainability.

What do you find special about indie publications?

I think indie publications have come a long way. What I like personally is that people have so much creativity. The creators of indie books have got a bit more flexibility to get away from the norm and offer a unique story to their readers. For example, Dazed [a style mag founded in 1991] has a set format, whereas small indie magazines don’t have to follow one. I like how flexible they can be and I like the unique stories.

What are Catalog’s main principles?

I try to stay as connected to my customers as possible and offer the best [service] I can. I’m a one man business so it is quite easy to be in control of a lot of things and stay close to my supporters.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve been in the process of expanding for just over a year now. The problem now is when the weather is bad I can’t be outside so I’m looking to expand in size. I have a shipping container which I will convert into a little bookshop - that would be the first step. If I’m able to do that, I’m looking into getting out to different locations, like having a licence in Chorlton or Didsbury. I’m going to try and stay away from becoming a conventional bookshop.