After a degree and research in Ancient History, Robert started his bookselling life under the regimen of Christina Foyle. He and Louise both worked for Tim Waterstone in the very early days of the company before moving North to set up the Deansgate Waterstone's in Manchester. Deansgate became renowned throughout the country for its literary events, its knowledgeable and passionate booksellers and for a vast range of interesting titles. Under new ownership, Waterstone's changed its nature, Tim Waterstone left and the company adopted a centralised, corporate model, with which Robert did not wish to comply. He was rather publicly sacked in June 2000 and after a couple of years with Macmillan, Robert and Louise set up their first bookshop in 2002 in the historic and atmospheric city of Ely, in the Fens of Cambridgeshire.
With its hand-built wooden bookcases and good pots of tea and coffee always available, the Ely booksellers, avid readers all, have created a friendly and welcoming bookshop with a selection of titles unrivalled in East Anglia. In 2004 we opened the second floor, and in October 2008 we opened the third floor with its captivating view of the Cathedral's Octagon.
The intensely literary climate of Bath and the city's independent spirit meant that when the right property appeared, Robert and Louise opened in the Paragon in April 2007. Initially drawing its booksellers from former colleagues - Saber from the Pan Bookshop, Robert Jones from Manchester and Kathleen, formerly of Manchester and Marketing at Random House, the Bath Topping & Company is making its mark, providing a cornucopia of titles in lovely surroundings, with tea and coffee as well as an exciting events programme.
