Posted on: 28th November 2023

Neither Leeds or Bradford has a Christian bookshop. Both cities have seen the demise of physical retail outlets for Christian literature in recent years. Christian books and greetings cards are only accessible for many via the internet or church bookstalls. This reflects a nationwide picture where Christian bookshops are no longer able to generate enough income to pay the bills. Scores of them have closed over the last decade in the UK. 

But a new initiative in Leeds is responding to the problem. 

Leeds City Mission has launched a ‘Christian Book & Card Booth’ at its premises in Mistress Lane in Armley. It has been aware of the great gap in Christian literature provision in Leeds in over the last few years.

The Booth stocks a limited range of Christian books, bibles, greetings cards and calendars. Stock is both new and second hand. The aim of the City Mission is to provide a very basic Christian literature service to churches throughout the city. 

City Mission Coordinator Andy Dalton explained that the Booth is an adjunct project to its Restore Charity Shop. The charity shop generates the income to cover all running costs of the Booth (utilities and staff costs). Thus Christian literature can be stocked and sold very cheaply to equip both individuals and churches without the normal financial pressures faced by any retail outlet.

The Christian Book & Card Booth is located at Mistress Lane, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2HL (pictured). 

The Booth is open midweek (not Wednesdays) 10.30 am – 2.30 pm.  It is also open on Saturday mornings 10 am – 1.00 pm until Christmas.

The Booth is currently making an introductory seasonal offer. It has obtained some beautiful 2024 Living Word gospel calendars with full colour photographs and appropriate scripture texts from Day One Publishers. These are being offered at virtually cost price (33p) if used by churches and individuals in evangelism and outreach. This initiative will be typical of the role of the Christian Book & Card Booth hopes to fulfil i.e. providing good and cheap literature for use by congregations throughout Leeds.  It is also stocking Christmas & other greetings cards with scripture texts.

Manager Dagmar Truman said that visitors were most welcome. More details on 0113 345 3118 or 07419215174

Leeds City Mission has been in continuous existence since 1837. It is an inter-church agency serving churches and reaching to those at the margins of society.