Skip to content

8 October 2024

BTBS logo

For those who don’t know our small team at The Book Trade Charity, we are there for anyone who works in the UK book trade. Our mission is simple, to alleviate hardship for colleagues when life takes a turn. Our grants and affordable homes are a safety net for you when circumstances change.

The Retreat

Today I would like to tell you about The Retreat in Hertfordshire - home to our office, book sale room and site of the original alms house for the charity. The Retreat is a special place and home to over 30 residents who all have a special connection to the UK book trade, ranging from 40-95 years old. It is a mixed community of both working age and retired people all bound by a shared love of and connection to the UK book trade. Right now, we have three vacancies for homes at The Retreat which is situated right next to the Kings Langley train station (our residents even have a special key which takes them onto the platform!). The rent is affordable and lower than comparable private rentals. For hybrid workers it could be a wonderful place to call home – close enough to the city but with communal green spaces and in between the villages of Kings Langley and Abbots Langley.

FLEXI SEASON TICKET for eligible hybrid workers: We are currently piloting a scheme which offers a free flexi season ticket (eight day returns per month) for the first year of new eligible tenants with a requirement to work in London.

Next steps

To learn more about our affordable housing and/or season ticket grant for new Retreat residents please Contact Glenda in the first instance: glenda@btbs.org and 01923 263128