Graddon Vending is basking in the PR glow generated by (arguably) Britain’s most popular vending machine. Penguin Books say they have ‘gone back to their roots’ by putting a book vending machine at Exeter train station, but they may inadvertently have uncovered a new sales channel…
The ‘novel idea’ (sorry) to equip Exeter station with a unique 24/7 bookshop is a nod to Penguin’s origins. It was at St David’s station in Exeter, in 1935, that a chap called Allen Lane, while waiting for his train, could find only magazines to read. Thus began a chain of events that saw Mr. Lane enlist his two brothers and culminated in the foundation of Penguin, whose mission was ‘to bring bringing high-quality paperback fiction and non-fiction to the mass market’. It worked out quite well…
The first vending machine / 24 hour bookshop, which was supplied by the good folks of Graddon Vending, offers 28 different book titles for commuters to choose from.
It sounds like a ‘win-win’: profits from the vending machine will support Exeter’s local independent bookstore, Bookbag, and Exeter City of Literature, who celebrate books in the local area.
The whole thing is the brainchild of Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature. She came up with the idea for a book vending machine that would be located at the site of Sir Allen’s Damascene revelation.
“I grew up in Exeter, but didn’t learn about Penguin’s history until, ironically, I was working in publishing in New York”, Anna admitted. “When I took on my current role, I knew I wanted to promote Exeter and Devon’s interesting and often hidden literary history to a much wider audience.
“This incredible invention was made possible by Penguin’s enthusiastic support and the work of a local vending machine company.” (She means Graddon Vending, folks). “It will not only make reading more accessible to everyone who steps foot onto St David’s, but it will shine a light on how Devon has inspired so many great figures in the literary world.”
Zainab Juma, Head of Brand at Penguin, said: “When Exeter City of Literature approached us about the Penguin Books vending machine, we knew immediately that it was the perfect way to celebrate our origins. Whiling away your time with a book is one of the great pleasures of train travel and this machine is just what our founder Allen Lane would have wanted to see as he set off on his journey.”
Amanda Burns, Director of Sales & Marketing for Great Western Railway, said: “We are proud of our long affiliation with Penguin Books, which dates back nearly 90 years. This book vending machine is a wonderful addition to Exeter St Davids station and is already proving popular with customers.”
Indeed, the station book vending machine has proved so popular that there’s more to come: travellers have been asked to nominate a UK station deserving of the next one. “With the help of our partners at Graddon Vending, we’re going to add one more book vending machine at another station in the UK, and we need your help deciding where”, a spokesperson said.
By the way, it’s not too late for you to make a nomination of your own. Click HERE
