House of Books & Friends and gunnercooke

House of Books & Friends, which was founded by law firm gunnercooke in 2022, is a community focused bookshop and café with a social mission to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Created as a Community Interest Company (CIC), every penny of profit is reinvested into community initiatives that bring people together through books and conversation.

Backed by gunnercooke’s commitment to being a deeply responsible business, the partnership combines financial support, professional expertise and employee volunteering to embed social impact into everyday business activity. Lawyers and support staff contribute through volunteering, legal support, charitable campaigns and event help, while the business continues to subsidise the bookshop’s operations to ensure its long-term sustainability and community reach.

The partnership has delivered significant impact for both the community and the firm. In 2025 alone, House of Books & Friends welcomed more than 1,000 attendees to author talks, book clubs and community events, while initiatives such as Coffee and Connections, Wrap Up Manchester and Pay It Forward supported vulnerable groups and local charities. The bookshop has also donated hundreds of books to schools and community organisations.

The shop has also been recognised by third parties, having been shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year at The British Book Awards in 2024, 2025 and 2026, alongside national media coverage and a growing online community of more than 28,000 Instagram followers. For gunnercooke, the partnership has strengthened employee engagement, reinforced its values-led culture and enhanced its reputation as a purpose-driven business.