Chener Books

Chener Books is an independent bookshop located at 14 Lordship Lane in East Dulwich, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1978 by John and Janet Kennedy, who were then full-time civil servants and started the business as a part-time hobby selling second-hand books at 52 Grove Vale. As demand grew, the Kennedys opened the shop full-time and expanded into selling new books, outgrowing the original Grove Vale premises. In 1984 Chener Books moved to its current location at 14 Lordship Lane, where it has traded ever since. The shop is known for its curated selection of new and second-hand books, its friendly and professional staff, and its role as a community literary hub in East Dulwich. Over the decades it has hosted author events, poetry readings, and signings, including an event with Hercules Editions poets in November 2019. The shop also operates an online ordering channel through Bookshop.org, allowing customers to order books for delivery. John Kennedy retired early from the civil service in 2005 to focus more on running the shop. In May 2018 John Kennedy passed away, and in October 2018 the shop was taken over by Miranda Peake, who had previously worked at Chener on a part-time basis between 2002 and 2004. Under her ownership the shop continues to serve the local community, with regular opening hours Monday to Sunday and an active events programme. Chener Books celebrated 40 years of bookselling in East Dulwich in 2018. It remains a privately owned, independent retailer, distinct from chain bookstores, and is a recognised fixture of the Lordship Lane shopping district.

Chener Books was established in 1978 by John and Janet Kennedy, both full-time civil servants at the time, as a part-time hobby selling second-hand books from 52 Grove Vale (a site later occupied by the Blackbird Bakery). As the business grew, the Kennedys opened the shop on a full-time basis and began selling new books, quickly outgrowing the Grove Vale premises. In 1984 Chener Books relocated to its current address at 14 Lordship Lane in East Dulwich, London, where it has operated ever since. Throughout its history the shop has employed an eclectic mix of part-time staff, many of whom were pursuing careers in the arts. John and Janet Kennedy continued working in the civil service while spending their free time on behind-the-scenes tasks to keep the shop running. In 2005 John Kennedy retired early from a successful civil service career to concentrate more on running the shop alongside the Chener staff. In 2018 Chener Books celebrated 40 years of bookselling in East Dulwich. In May 2018 John Kennedy passed away. Since October 2018 the shop has been owned and run by Miranda Peake, who had worked at Chener on a part-time basis between 2002 and 2004. Under her ownership the shop has continued its tradition of community bookselling, hosting events such as a November 2019 poetry evening with Hercules Editions poets Sophie Herxheimer, Martyn Crucefix and Jacqueline Saphra, alongside Hercules founder Tamar Yoseloff. The shop also offers online ordering through Bookshop.org and maintains regular opening hours seven days a week.

• 2019

  Poetry event with Hercules Editions poets held on 29 November.

• 2018

  Chener Books celebrates 40 years of bookselling in East Dulwich.

• 2018

  John Kennedy passes away in May; Miranda Peake takes over ownership in October.

• 2005

  John Kennedy retires early from the civil service to focus more on the shop.

• 1984

  Chener Books moves to its current location at 14 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich.

• 1978

  John and Janet Kennedy found Chener Books as a part-time second-hand book business at 52 Grove Vale.

Independent community bookshop in East Dulwich offering curated new and second-hand books with a personal, friendly service.

• New books

  General new book retail across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's titles.

• Second-hand books

  Second-hand books, the original product line from the shop's founding in 1978.

• Poetry

  Poetry collections and events, including collaborations with small presses such as Hercules Editions.

• Children's books

  Children's section featured on the shop's website and in-store.

• Hercules Editions poetry evening

1. 1Books | Chener Books | Londonchenerbooks.com
2. 2ABOUT | Chener Bookschenerbooks.com
3. 3Chener Bookswikidata.org