From the time that the Station Flea Markets started in the late seventies, there have always been a couple of book stalls alongside the other stalls. The Station was seen as the perfect place in which to sell books even before the Station's restoration which began around the mid-eighties.
In 1993, following 3 very successful May Day Festivals (the first in 1990), the Council decided that as an experiment, they would organise a large-scale Book Fair, in conjunction with Friends of Tynemouth Station (FoTS) along the lines of the May Day Festivals.
The very first large-scale Book Fair was held in the Station in August 1993. It celebrated all aspects of the written and spoken word. It included local publishers, authors reading from their work, storytelling, papermaking, cartoon workshops, and a small number of second-hand book stalls.
A couple of these stalls had a very enjoyable day and an added bonus was that visitors did not have to pay an entrance fee, which has continued to this day.
They asked if we could organise a small-scale Book Fair just for book dealers and others who might like to try their hand at selling books, some of which they might have inherited etc.
The first of these small Book Fairs was held in October 1993, again in conjunction with North Tyneside Council, but now with a large input from North Tyneside Library Service. This was very successful, but on this occasion it was held on the much smaller West Concourse, where it would not disturb the ever expanding Flea Markets.
Again all the booksellers enjoyed themselves so much that they hoped we could organise further Book Fairs like this at the Station.
SO THE IDEA OF TYNEMOUTH STATION BOOK FAIRS WAS BORN.
The beginning of a pattern was established with one large-scale Book Festival in August and 3 smaller ones being held in April, June and October. These small Book Fairs continued as a joint project with the Library Service even after the large-scale Book Fairs were discontinued.
This was very important, as the Council were able to help by providing the tables before we were able to source some second-hand ones for ourselves.
Eventually, for various reasons, including a change of senior management within North Tyneside Library Service, when the Council withdrew all support from the Book Fairs, the Station Book Fairs became the sole responsibility of the Friends of Tynemouth Station. A pattern of 4 Fairs per year, occupying the whole of the West Concourse, has continued to this day.
A very important by-product of the Book Fairs has been the relationship between Station Developments Ltd, the Book Fairs and the Linskill Centre, which for several years provided investment and support to ensure the Book Fair continues into the future. The Linskill Centre (Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust (LNTCDT)) is a charity that plays a vital role in North Shields, providing a welcoming space for thousands of people to engage in activities, meet friends, and access essential services, supporting people of all ages to feel connected.
After two years' absence due to COVID, the Fair returned bigger and better in 2022, with a relaunch featuring Ann Cleeves, our very own Queen of crime writers. With the support of Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust (Linskill for short), Linskill provided the Fair with much-needed stability, admin and promotional backup, and lots of moral support. Since the relaunch we quickly reached full capacity for the space available and now usually have a short waiting list of eager stallholders in case of cancellations.
From the start of 2026, The Book Fair will be managed by North Tyneside Arts Studio (NTAS), with all surplus proceeds going towards NTAS’s management of The Bridge Gallery at Tynemouth Sation.
NTAS is the only specialist art for mental health service in North Tyneside, with over 30 years’ experience in the field. Based in a dedicated studio space in North Shields, NTAS provides a safe, supportive environment where people can discover how creativity can support their mental health and personal recovery and help build the tools and social connections that empower people to achieve long term change.
This transition feels like a natural next step. NTAS, a long-standing tenant of the Linskill Centre until recently relocating to new premises, has a strong creative connection to the Fair, having curated art installations funded through its proceeds. Their involvement ensures the Fair continues to thrive in community hands, and Linskill is delighted to see it move forward with such a like-minded organisation.
Tynemouth Station Book Fair has developed a character all of its own; friendly, indoor-yet-outdoor thanks to its unique railway platform setting and complemented always by its eclectic sister-market just across the bridge.
There's nowhere else quite like it.