In 1976 Doug McLean realised his dream to open the Forest of Dean's first 'real' bookshop. Doug had worked in the bookselling/publishing trade all his working life since leaving school at fifteen and including eight years as a young bookseller before entering the world of book publishing. Relying on his wide experience, he set up and provided his vision of running a good general bookshop in the Forest town of Coleford.

From day one, the shop was popular and ever since, a steady stream of customers visit from all over the Forest and beyond. The bookshop served a wide area and far from 'dropping out' Doug found himself running a busy bookshop.

The innovative style and sucess was noticed in the trade and Doug was asked to join the national commitee of the Bookseller's Association in London where he atteded meetings for several years.

Before long, Doug saw an opportunity to put his publishing knowledge into practise and when talking to local writer Winifred Foley, suggested she might write a follow up to her recently published BBC book A Child in the Forest, this led to the local publication of her No Pipe Dreams For Father.  Other local writers followed and over the years Doug published Keith Morgan, Dr Bill Tandy, Joyce Latham, F. W. Harvey and many more.

Ann, Ian and Doug at the bookshop's June 2007 thirtieth birthday nicely posing for a press photo call. Pure apple juice was the tipple that morning.