Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Ambience

Pros:

• "Love this bookshop. There are very few bookshops with this atmosphere still around nowadays."
• "This bookshop had a beautiful interior and exterior and was exciting to visit."
• "The store has a brilliant ambience with the wood floors and books shelfs paired with the smell of books."
• "Simply magical! Prepare to stay at Topping & Co a while - this is a bookshop split over three levels that delivers at every turn and in every nook."
• "Wooden floors and wooden ladders of yore, wall to wall books and music surround and accompany your search and lecture."
• "A magical little bookstore in Bath. A vision from my dreams!"
• "It is like stepping back in time. It has an atmosphere that makes you want to read!"

Cons:

• "But I'm a bit disappointed the kids area isn't any more inspiring. In the old shop it was pretty crowded, and in the new building it's located in the darkest, smallest corner of the basement."
• "The relaxing is limited though: There are tables & stools, but no sofas, and the reading tables are small."
• "Now it’s crowded, few places to sit, and I walked in and out (more than 30 mins) without being talked to."
• "The worst experience I have had here was being told, after I had been browsing for just 10 minutes, that 'this isn't a library'."
• "It’s bigger, less personal, louder. The book prices have gone up a LOT and are confusing."
• "I have on one occasion felt like the staff thought I had been browsing for too long despite having three books at the till for me to buy when I had finished looking."

Selection & Variety

Pros:

• "They specialise mostly in basic fiction and non fiction."
• "Very big selection of books."
• "The shop hosts a broad and high quality range of fiction and non-fiction."
• "Excellent choice of books, and many lesser known titles."
• "We found a fantastic selection of books across Art, Architecture, Fashion, Business, Politics and Economics sections."
• "There's a huge selection of books, well organised in a beautiful shop."
• "Massive collection of books and anything they don't have can usually be ordered in."

Cons:

• "However, it was quite difficult to locate specific books as the shelves aren’t really labelled at all in terms of author or subject."
• "Surprisingly, not much in the way of reference books, except art, architecture, and project management."
• "The technical subjects (maths, science, business) are all in one fairly-well hidden section, towards the back of the basement level."
• "Also I have no idea who placed all the books for 6 year olds 7 feet up in the air."

Staff & Service

Pros:

• "The staff here are very helpful, polite, and hardworking."
• "What really gets this place five stars are the staff, who are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful."
• "Amazing service from the staff members, especially Bethany who went above and beyond to help me locate a particular signed book I wish to purchase as a birthday present."
• "The staff at Toppings are very friendly and in the know especially Steph she is a wonder woman of literature!"
• "Each member of staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about each product and question - they’re always patient and take the time to help you."
• "Staff will always recommend suitable books for you to read in a relaxed environment, they care about you, not just transaction."
• "The staff were very friendly and the book selection drool worthy!"

Cons:

• "If there is any low mobility access, we didn't find it, so had to carry a pram up the stairs."
• "Oh, and access from the street was very poor with a pushchair."
• "Server was aloof and rude."
• "My only slight cavill would be that the staff are a bit aloof."
• "But what use is a good impression if you can't deliver good service, and if your staff are rude to customers?"
• "Other criticisms I have found of the bookshop in my 6 years as a regular customer in Bath include overhearing arguments between the staff while they are standing at the till."
• "Bad management and customer service here – the majority of staff are helpful and attentive, but I have had several poor experiences which sadly means I won't be returning."