About Us
Proudly independent since 1978, when the Donaldsons set up shop. Red Lion Books sits in the heart of Colchester, along the High Street. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming shopfront because inside there is a treasure trove of delights for all book lovers with wide-ranging stock, an overnight ordering service, author events, signings and book clubs.
125 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1SZ
01206 578584
us@redlionbooks.co.uk
Experienced Book Sellers
Sarah and Peter Donaldson have been hands on owners and booksellers since 1978. Sarah’s passion is for children’s books. Peter has been active in the Bookseller’s Association at regional and national level. He has been a trustee of the Essex book Festival since 2011. It has always been their firm belief that bricks and mortar shops have an important part to play in keeping local communities strong and healthy.
Meet the Team
Jo Coldwell, established Appetite Book Club in 2007 and joined Red Lion Books in 2016. Now shop manager, she heads up a team of talented and experienced booksellers who have an unwavering commitment to give the best possible bookshop experience to each and every customer.
From top left to bottom right: Margaret, Anna, Jamie, Jo, Sharon, Louise, Sarah and Peter
Your Local Book Shop
We are here to serve you; sharing our enthusiasm for books and passion for reading. We like to see faces in places and encourage you to visit us but if this isn’t possible we can offer advice by emailing us@redlionbooks.co.uk
We can deliver nationally – or if you live locally we can deliver books to you on foot or by bicycle.
Need Advice?
Why Choose Us?
Award Winning Shop
Red Lion Books won East of England Independent Bookshop of the Year Award for 2021 and 2025
Overnight Ordering
Our 24 hour ordering service has over 400,000 titles which will be available for shop collection the next day.
Research and Advice
We can help you track down those hard to find titles and guide you to the book that is right for you.
Meet Fellow Book Fans
Our author events and bookclubs are a great way to meet other book lovers.
Experienced & Friendly
Hello
Owner
Peter Donaldson
Peter remembers a childhood of weekly trips to the local library, tellings off for taking books to the dinner table and reading by torchlight under the covers – long after the parental ‘light out’ calloo. Bookselling was an obvious career. He has been involved with the Bookseller’s Association at regional and national level and has also been a trustee of the Essex Book Festival since 2011. It has always been his firm belief that bricks and mortar shops have an important part to play in keeping local communities strong and healthy.
Owner
Sarah Donaldson
Sarah’s life has always revolved around children. Her vision is to help make a world that gives every child the best chance to find their true place within it. Reading plays an important part in helping children imagine what kind of future might be possible. Sarah’s bookselling mission has always been to make Red Lion Books children’s section the very best place for children to explore the world of books.
Manager
Jo Coldwell
Jo Coldwell has a passion for books and people. She is inexhaustible in finding creative ways in which to bring the two together. In 2007 she started the Appetite Book Club attracting 100+people per month, to discuss books over supper, often with the author in attendance. They have appeared on various television shows, including the Sky TV Book Club. In 2017 Jo joined Red Lion Books and now, as manager, continues to bring her unique flair and personal touch to every corner of the shop.
Jamie
Jamie is our resident witch, yoga teacher and fantasy wizard with a deep love for Terry Pratchett. They read a lot of non-fiction and love giving recommendations, ranging from politics to science to history.
Margaret
Margaret is our longest standing member of staff and we all appreciate her cool, calm problem solving and expert knowledge. When she isn’t at the shop Margaret dances with the AnnieMation Clog Dancers. She is also a talented and exhibiting Textile Artist
Louise
Louise will happily fuss any dog that comes in the shop! She is the brains behind our Blind Date with a Book and runs The Cocoa Book Club which has collaborated with the Women’s Fiction Prize and the New Adult Book Prize. With a love for the gothic and macabre, don’t be surprised when she recommends the latest horror story she has been reading. Don’t get her started on the genius of Angela Carter unless you want to spend all day in the shop!
Anna
Anna has a fantastic knowledge and passion for children’s books. She has worked as an English teacher and children’s book editor. She spends a great deal of time reading books meant for children and considers them to be the equals of any written for adults. When she is not at the shop she keeps herself busy making things, book binding and wild swimming.
Sharon
Sharon is the newest member of staff at Red Lion Books, and is a lover of all things strange and whimsical. When she isn’t in the shop, she is likely either moonlighting as a video game translator or getting actively buried beneath a mountain of unfinished craft projects. She has an incurable fondness for lyrical prose, fairytale retellings, and meditations on the place of stories in human culture.
