New Prologue bookshop, café and bar opens in Stockport town centre
By Alasdair Perry 3rd Oct 2026
Stockport has welcomed a new bookshop, cafe and bar to its Weir Mill neighbourhood.
After much hype and excitement, Prologue - run by the same team behind Simply Books - opened at 10.30am on Saturday 3 October.
Visitors can expect a cosy coffee shop, a bar, and - of course - books.
Prologue aims to 'rethink what a modern bookshop can be'.
"We've truly ripped up the bookshop rulebook to create something really special," says co-owner Ben Johns.
"We wanted to build somewhere that feels like much more than a place to just buy a book, somewhere people can spend time, discover something new, meet authors and become part of a literary community."
The new spot certainly lives up to the book-lover's fantasy, boasting floor-to-ceiling shelves, reading nooks, and warm, adjustable lighting.
Staff will move around the shop floor a lot more, as well, with payments taken on handheld devices rather than behind a till.
And the venue has been purpose-built to support an ambitious programme of events, too, including author talks, open mics and comedy performances.
Visitors can also expect book clubs, language classes, writing workshops, and more creative events.
The aim is to create a space for readers, writers, and creatives alike.
"This really is a new chapter for us." Ben Johns added. "When we started with an empty shell on a building site, it was tricky to know exactly what the space would look like.
"But, we've worked really hard to create something truly special. We're so excited to welcome old customers and new ones alike."
Simply Books, owned by the same team, has already hosted authors like Ruth Jones, Jodi Picoult, Harlan Coben, Jacqueline Wilson and Oti Mabuse.
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