Independent bookshop Aldous Books has announced it will permanently close its Godstall Lane store this weekend.

The family-run business, which opened on 5 April 2025, specialises in antiquarian and second-hand books. Its final day of trading will be Sunday 28 June.

Its owners said increasing costs had reached an "unsustainable level", forcing the difficult decision to close after just over a year in the city.

Speaking to Nub News shortly after the shop first opened, co-owner Steve Aldous said the business had begun as a creative outlet for him and his wife, Gina, after both spent many years working in healthcare.

The couple, who described themselves as lifelong readers, first established Aldous Books at Liverpool's Bluecoat Arts Centre before expanding to Chester six months later.

Steve previously said supporting independent businesses and local culture was one of the key reasons for opening the shop in Chester.

"If you don't use these places, they'll disappear," he said last year. "Of course there's a place for new bookshops, but you won't keep local businesses thriving and I think that's important.

"Culture is disappearing. Without a second-hand bookshop you just lose things.

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"We can't just be cafés and restaurants - people need somewhere that feeds their soul as well."

Announcing the closure on 26 June, the business said: "It is with great sadness that we are closing our Chester shop of Aldous Books in Godstall Lane.

"The fine people of Chester deserve a quality bookshop and they have been wonderful customers for us during the last 15 months.

"We would like to thank everyone who has stepped over our threshold and bought their books from us in the past year or so. We shall miss each and every one of you.

"Please remember that our shop at The Bluecoat Centre in Liverpool remains open, and we would be delighted to see you should you find your way there."