Latest: The Alligator's Mouth Reopens
We are delighted that, with the health and safety of our staff and customers at the forefront of our minds, The Alligator's Mouth is now open to customers! We intend to make you feel as safe, welcome and entertained as ever. We so look forward to seeing you and chatting about books, whenever you're ready.
Please read the guidance for customers below and a list of the safety precautions in place. These measures will be kept under constant review as the situation develops. Even if you can't make it into the shop any time soon, read on for other ways of shopping with us.
The staff at The Alligator's Mouth would like to say a big thank you to all the customers who have kept us going through this difficult period with book and voucher purchases, shares, retweets, kind words and good vibes.
CURRENT OPENING HOURS
Mon-Sat: 10am-5:30pm
Sundays: CLOSED
Customer Guidelines
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Two customers or one family group in the shop at any one time
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Please observe social distancing according to government guidelines
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When you arrive, please wash your hands with the sanitiser provided
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We encourage keeping handling of books to a minimum
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If you need to know more about a book or would like some recommendations, you are welcome to ask us
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Please keep an eye on younger children
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The wearing of facial covering is appreciated
Safety Precautions
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Hand sanitiser is accessible throughout the shop
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A perspex screen has been installed at the till point
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Staff members are wearing masks
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Staff cleaning and sanitising regimes have been increased
Private Appointments
For the next two weeks we will be offering private appointments, Mon-Fri 10:30. Appointments will last 30 minutes, and we will make sure you have our attention for recommendations and helping you find what you're looking for. To book, call 02089486775 or email info@thealligatorsmouth.co.uk.
Local Delivery, Postal Delivery and Collection
If you live in or near Richmond, we’re still offering hand delivery. Customers who are local to the shop are welcome to check whether we have the book they need in stock and (for as long as possible) members of staff who live nearby will do their best to hand deliver books.
If you're not local, we can order books to you direct from our suppliers. Shop online for thousands of available titles. Not everything is listed on our website, so if you can't find a book using the search bar, use the request submission form or drop us an email/call. We will create and send you a link to purchase your book(s) via our website and send them direct from our suppliers. Most orders have been arriving in roughly 2-5 working days.
Events and Resources
We will let you know as soon as we are able to resume our regular Storytime, Folktale Friday and Comics Club events in the shop. In the meantime you can continue to tune in to Mark's Storytime, every Tuesday 11am on our Youtube channel. Folktale Friday will return soon on Youtube and Facebook.
You may have seen the gradual release of videos of shortlisted authors reading their books on The Alligator's Mouth Award channel. There's also a fantastic new activity sheet pack for The Alligator's Mouth Award, downloadable from our Award page.
Comics fans can download free worksheets from our Resources page. We have had some wonderful completed worksheets emailed to us. Every single one gets written feedback and is offered a place in our Comics Club Gallery.
We hope to see you soon,
The Alligator's Mouth Team
Alligator drawing by Chris Riddell
Opening hours
CURRENT OPENING HOURS
Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm
Sundays CLOSED
As we reopen after closure due to Covid 19, temporary opening hours will be updated