An entrepreneur who turned her love of reading and a small BookTok community into a growing bookselling business is bringing her concept to Nottingham, with a new book bar combining books, coffee, cocktails and community events
Lauren Lovett, managing director of Ink & Ember, is preparing to open the unique business at 47 Bridlesmith Gate, following the handover of the keys by Nottingham developer, ALB Group.
The venue, which Lauren hopes to open in the third week of November, will combine an independent bookshop, café and bar serving wine, cocktails, coffee and other hot drinks.
Designed as a welcoming space for readers and newcomers alike, customers will be free to relax and enjoy the surroundings without even having to buy a book.
Lauren said the idea grew from her family’s love of reading, her experience of building friendships through BookTok, the book focused corner of TikTok, and wanting to recreate that sense of connection in real life.
She said:
“We are a family of four, with one on the way, and we all love reading. So much so that it inspired me to create a BookTok account, which was a fun, welcoming space on the internet, and I found that I made the most incredible friends.
“I wanted something like it in real life. I craved the same connection.”
After her husband Lee suggested she create the space herself, Lauren drew on her entrepreneurial spirit to open the first Ink & Ember in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The community has since grown into the thousands, with a second shop opened in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, in August.
Describing herself as a ‘conscious community builder’, she wants Ink & Ember to offer somewhere people can connect through reading, discover new authors and develop shared interests.
Her family is involved in the business which makes it all the more personal, with daughter Lana, 12, helping in the shop and Lee supporting with all things DIY. Her youngest enjoys packing online orders too. The couple are also expecting another baby.
The Nottingham premises will have a gothic mansion inspired interior, with Dark Academia styling, ornate details and surprises throughout the building, and an entire floor will be dedicated to the growing and beloved romance genre.
Lauren added:
“Romance, in all its varied sub-genres and niches is one of the fastest growing genres in the world and in Nottingham we intend to embrace it fully with its own floor!
“We hope that whether you fancy a glass of wine and an open sandwich after work, or want to cosy up in peace with a good book and a hot chocolate during the festive months, that you will come and give us a try.”
Ink & Ember plans to host around many events a week across its shops, including book clubs, author signings, adult craft sessions and so much more.
The opening adds to efforts by ALB Group to revitalise Bridlesmith Gate and attract new businesses to Nottingham city centre.
ALB Group acquired 16 properties across Bridlesmith Gate and Byard Lane, alongside seven units on Lister Gate, aiming to bring vacant premises back into use and encourage more businesses to invest in Nottingham city centre.
The regeneration programme has included attracting a diverse mix of tenants, alongside commissioning local artists to create murals on prominent buildings to bring colour and character to the area.
The group’s approach has focused on offering flexible rental agreements and a range of unit sizes to appeal to both new businesses and established brands.
Arran Bailey, managing director of ALB Group, said:
“Our ambition for Bridlesmith Gate has always been to create a destination with its own identity, where independent businesses can thrive alongside established names.
“Every new business that chooses to invest in the street helps build its character and gives people another reason to visit Nottingham city centre.”
“Ink & Ember has an exciting concept that brings books, coffee and community together, and we’re delighted to welcome them to Bridlesmith Gate.”
“Bridlesmith Gate is one of Nottingham’s most popular retail and leisure streets, and Ink & Ember is a great addition. We are pleased to have acted for landlord ALB Group on this, unlocking this unit took a lot of hard work, as we had to negotiate and agree the surrender of the previous tenant’s lease before we could bring in a new occupier.‘It was well worth the effort. A book bar combining wine, coffee and events is exactly the kind of experiential, independent operator that gives people a reason to visit and stay longer. We look forward to seeing it open before Christmas.”
Posted on 28 October 2026
