The Haunted Bookshop in Bristol is facing a struggle to stay open due to declining foot traffic and rising costs. Owner Monika Killer has started a crowd fundraiser that has already gained over £7,500 from 450 supporters. The bookshop provides a community space for artists and small businesses, as well as a sense of belonging for customers who feel like they don't fit in elsewhere. With the support of its loyal customers, including regular tarot reader Leigh-Ann Charlotte and customer Mia Gailey, Killer hopes to keep the shop open despite financial difficulties.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Haunted Bookshop, an independent horror and fantasy bookstore in Bristol, is fighting to stay open due to cost-of-living pressures and a drop in footfall. Owner Monika Killer has started a crowd fundraiser after the shop fell behind on essential bills, with over 450 supporters pledging £7,500 so far. The bookshop serves as a community hub for local artists, small businesses, and individuals who feel like they don't belong, providing a space for connection, acceptance, and a sense of home. Regular customers and employees alike are rallying to support the shop's survival, with one customer describing it as "a severe loss if the shop shuts down." The bookshop specializes in horror, fantasy, folklore, and the occult, and has been open for two years.
Written for “Bookstore Financial Struggles” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The use of phrases like 'a place where people who often feel like they don't belong can find friendship, acceptance, and a sense of home' creates a sympathetic tone towards the business and its customers, implying that it serves a unique and important community need.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.70 for article 301 · logged 2026-08-05
- Published
An independent bookshop says a drop in footfall and cost-of-living pressures mean the business is now "impossible to manage alone".
asserted
business → publish → living
The Haunted Bookshop opened in Bristol two years ago for "anyone who has ever felt a little different" and specialises in horror, fantasy, folklore and the occult.
asserted
who → open → horror
Owner, Monika Killer, said her business has fallen behind on essential bills.
asserted
business → say → bills
Killer has started a crowd fundraiser, which has so far seen more than 450 supporters pledge over £7,500 to save the shop.
asserted
supporters → start → shop
Customer Sarina Maloy said the space gives people a chance to connect, and "it would be a severe loss if the shop shuts down".
asserted
shop → say → chance
More from Bristol
Killer said the bookshop also provides a support network for a wide range of city artists and small businesses, a community that has "always been at the heart of everything we do".
asserted
we → say → everything
"We've created a place where people who often feel like they don't belong can find friendship, acceptance, and a sense of home," she said.
asserted
she → create → home
Leigh-Ann Charlotte works at the bookshop as a tarot reader, but was originally a loyal customer.
She said it is a great space for anyone who likes anything different, like witchcraft.
asserted
who → work → witchcraft
Another regular at the shop, Mia Gailey, said it was a second home for people who do not fit in elsewhere.
asserted
who → say → people
"If it wasn't for this place, I wouldn't have had some of the greatest friendships and experiences I've ever had," she said.
asserted
she → have → friendships
"Watching these connections form has been the greatest privilege of running this shop, and I want nothing more than to see this community continue to grow and thrive," Killer added.
asserted
Killer → watch → nothing
