“THE HARDEST thing about following a dream is taking the first step.”
Being creative from a young age, Diane Park had hoped for a career that tapped into that.
But, after leaving school aged 16, she went to work in a bank and remained in that profession for many years.
Diane later spent time in sales, travelling around selling office equipment, before returning to banking.
It was not until the mother-of-four reached her early fifties that she decided she had to make a change.
“I had all this creativity and knew that I needed to do something with it,” she says. “The hardest part was taking the plunge, but eventually I did it.”
Diane, who lives in Sutton-in-Craven, began her new venture at vintage fairs and through a pop-up shop in Barnoldswick, selling clothing she had made, as well as small items of furniture and crockery she had bought from charity shops and upcycled. This fitted with her passion for the environment and nature conservation.
Two years later, in 2015, she came across a vacant shop in Haworth’s Main Street and took it on. “I arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday morning the shop was open,” she says.
Calling the shop Wave of Nostalgia, Diane continued to sell her vintage creations.
Lockdown was the catalyst that changed the focus of the shop. “I started selling books,” she says. “I love books but because I left school so young and am a little dyslexic too, I worried that to become a bookseller you would have to have a bookseller qualification, but you don’t.”
Such has been her success as a bookseller that her shop - our Telegraph & Argus Trader of the Week - is a regional finalist in the Independent Bookshop of the Year category in the British Book Awards for the second time, the first being last year.
“I curate the books - if I don’t love it, it doesn’t get through the door. The focus is on strong women, LGBTQ and nature conservation.”
Watching youngsters exploring books in her children’s section gives her great pleasure. “We can help them and talk to them about what they like to read. We have a themed book department which interests children. It is important to make reading more accessible to people of all ages.”
Diane’s aim throughout her journey had always been to sell items - whether books, clothing or gifts - centred around inspiring women, an apt theme, being in the village where the Bronte sisters lived.
“Historically, Haworth has been the home of strong women - it could not be a better place. The shop is filled with beautiful and unique items for all ages, from suffragette, feminist and LGBTQ items to beautiful stationery - our stock is designed by inspiring women, some local, some further afield but all in the UK.”
Diane tries in particular to support local authors. Some have given readings at the shop, including Stephanie Shields, whose self-published book The Strange Woman, based on the true story of the Witches of Timble, group of women accused of witchcraft in 17th century Yorkshire, has been a best seller.
“That was my best seller last year, and is still selling well,” says Diane, who is helped in the shop by staff Heather, Harriet and Matilda, as well as her husband Ian.
Being in a tourist village, Diane’s customers hail from not just Yorkshire and the UK but all over the world. “I love talking to customers about books, and recommending books that I think they will like.”
She has built up good relationships with publishers and has grown a presence on social media. “I have got to know many local authors through Instagram,” she says.
This year she plans to work closely with local schools, taking part in events such as the recent World Book Day.
“I am also excited about Bradford being UK Capital of Culture in 2025 and want to help to make sure the literary side of the district is firmly on the map.”
Last year Diane created a cosy space in the shop’s cellar - now called The Book Cellar, which is perfect for small gatherings. “It has a vaulted ceiling and now looks really lovely,” she says. “We hold small events like poetry readings - we have hosted poets Ian Humphreys and Clare Shaw.”
The shop also sells beautifully-crafted Danish Maileg toys and collectibles, loved by children and adults.
Diane’s past working life has been of benefit to her in her new role, drawing upon her skills in customer service and finance.
She acknowledges that running your own business can be challenging, but she could not be happier.
“I have definitely found my niche - it may have taken a long time but I am finally here and I am having the time of my life.”
*Wave of Nostalgia, 74 Main St, Haworth BD22 8DP; waveofnostalgia.co.uk
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