Topping & Company Booksellers
Award-winning Conversion of a Former Masonic Hall into an Independent Bookshop
Topping & Company had been selling books in Bath for fourteen years from the Paragon when the opportunity arose to relocate more centrally into the Grade II listed former Friends Meeting House which had been closed since 2019.
Set within the conservation area and the World Heritage Site, the Friends Meeting House is positioned close to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Originally Designed as a Masonic Hall in 1817-19 by the Architect William Wilkins the Younger (who designed the National Gallery in London), the building proved too expensive to maintain and was subsequently used as an assembly room, exhibition space and non-conformist chapel until it was leased as the Bethesda Chapel in 1842. The building had been owned and used by the Religious Society of Friends from 1866 - 2019.
The alteration works includes the insertion of a new oak-lined gallery around three sides of the Great Hall to increase the retail floor area and make best use of the large volume. A new platform lift is inserted at the East end of the hall providing access to the 70,000 books over three levels, and hosts removable notice boards advertising up-coming author events.
Externally, new stone steps and bronze handrails lead to a new central entrance created through the former blind doorway which previously symbolised the secrecy of the Masons but has become the door to enlightenment.
Listed Building and Planning Approval was granted in January 2021. Construction commenced in March and the shop opened on time in November 2021.
Street elevation with new entrance within previous blind doorway
The Grand Hall with new lightweight mezzanine
New lift utilised as a noticeboard for orientation and upcoming events
One of the restored lanterns over the Grand Hall
Bespoke bookcases on the mezzanine sized to retain views of the original cornice frieze
Open door to enlightenment
Bronze handrail with inset lighting on pennant steps
Entrance at dusk