A conversation with Alex Batho, Partner at Countryside Books
How did the business start?
Countryside Books was started nearly 50 years ago by my parents. Their first publication was a walking book, Walks Around the Downs, hence the name Countryside Books. Growing up, the business was always a big part of the family and was based at our home for many years. Eventually it grew too big for the house to accommodate so was moved to a proper office.
How has the business evolved?
We’ve weathered many storms and seen plenty of recessions come and go. Innovation has been the key. For example, when foot and mouth disease was at its peak in 2001 much of the countryside was closed to walkers and sales of walking titles plummeted. It was time to expand the list. The following few years saw many new series introduced, including books on architecture, Second World War aviation, lost railways, nostalgia, ghosts and the supernatural. Many of these are still in print today.
What are your aspirations for the company?
We continue to focus on and expand our wide range of county-based walking titles. As a keen walker myself, this feels like the right direction for us. Our range of architecture and heritage easy-reference guides is also important and has been a key reason for the company’s success over the years. My aspirations for the company are simple; I hope we continue to produce attractive, but above all else, useful books that give our readers enjoyment, be it guiding them along local walking routes they didn’t know about or helping them learn more about the amazing architecture that surrounds us all.
Do you have any reading recommendations?
From our own titles, there are some amazing stories in our supernatural series.
