A CARDIGAN bookshop owner has come up with a novel way to retire from his business – he’s going to raffle it off.

Husband and wife Paul and Leila Morris are saying goodbye to Bookends at the Arcade, High Street, at the end of the summer.

And between now and the end of August, anyone who spends £20 or more on books in one transaction can choose to have their name put into Paul's infamous top hat - he’s a big fan of steampunk - for the chance to win the entire Bookends business, lock, stock and barrel.

That's the books, the fixtures and fittings and the comfy Chesterfield sofa for hours of relaxed reading time.

Paul and Leila, from Abercych, set up the bookshop four years ago – it took six days and two trips in a 7.5 ton van to transport 18,000 individually-wrapped books from Great Yarmouth.

But the couple, who have an 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter, have decided now is the time to move on and would love somebody else to benefit from the business they have established.

So why have the decided to sell?

“At the beginning of the year, Leila’s sister died and we had a chat and decided we wanted to spend more time with our family and friends while we are still young enough to enjoy it,” said Paul, who has been involved in the book business for around 20 years.

“We love the business but it’s six days a week and we thought why not give someone else a ready-made opportunity.

“It’s been profitable for the past two years. They will simply come in and I hand over the keys, stock, sofa, fixtures and fittings and I’ll be quite happy to then spend a few days with them until they are familiar with how it all works.

“All they have to do is spend £20 in the shop and it could change their life. No-one loses and it might give someone who is unemployed or unhappy in their current job the chance to start a new life.

“The rent here is very affordable, running costs are nominal and that’s your lot really. If someone needs help to get through the first month, then we’ll help. We just want to give someone else that chance and it would be great to see the business stay in Cardigan and thrive.

“The shop feels very much part of the community. I could close and sell it but you never know how long that will take and it does not feel right.

“The internet has had an impact but we sell online and while many people read on their Kindles, I think more and more are coming back to actual books. They love the smell and feel when they come in here.”

So how will it work?

“It all comes down to pot luck. When people spend the money, I will ask them if they want to be included in the draw with a chance to win. It’s their choice.

“Their name then goes in my top hat and it will be drawn at the end of August,” said Paul, who also ran an arts and crafts business in Newcastle Emlyn about 20 years ago which is now called The Maker’s Mark.

“I see leaving the business as my little legacy and it makes me feel so happy. Yes, there will probably be a little twang to give it up but it’s the right decision for us and I am also intrigued to see who will actually get it.”

So what’s the catch?

“There isn’t one. I appreciate people can be cynical and think this is too good to be true. I suppose the catch is you are committing to working and being here six days a week,” added Paul.