Michael Moon, bookshop owner celebrates his 80th birthday

To celebrate his birthday, Michael Moon, who owns Michael Moon bookshop on Lowther Street, went out for a meal in Rosehill with his family - including members who flew over from Singapore and Spain - and then watched his favourite film, It's a Wonderful Life!

The bookshop closed slightly earlier on Saturday to allow the celebrations.

Michael has seven brothers and sisters, which has meant his family is quite large, but he also has 'dear' friends of 50 years.

Michael said: "Your friends are just as important as your relatives, you have them for life. Those two elements are the most important. I have not come down to Earth yet [since his birthday celebrations.]"

Michael Moon has been working for 65 years. His jobs have included master grocer, state registered nurse, and an antiquarian bookseller which he has been doing for 53 years now.

Since 1970, Michael has been involved in all things books, and he is still continuing today. He said: "I made my hobby my living, and really love being around books.

"I have bought over a million books in my time and I like doing it.

"I have worked as a master grocer and books are a much less perishable product than a loaf of bread!"

Michael Moon now in his book shop (Image: Michael Moon)

After being in the business for so long, Michael has admitted he is thinking of taking a 'slight' back seat... but the business will always be kept within the family as his children are involved.

He said the business has been an 'adventure in curiosity' but it is 'only as good as what you are selling.'

Michael said he is happy he stayed within the town because "everyone knows more about me than I know about them... they trust you.

"It is about recycling and looking after things that people can't take with them, and someone has to give books a longer life.

"I look for the unusual things, it is almost like being a detective!

"I feel like everyone has books and they end up in the wrong place. When you die, you leave it behind. You hope someone will appreciate the books you have and all we want to do is extend the life of them and have the unwritten guarantee until a new owner can be found.

"[The bookshop] gives a shape to my week and I still get up an hour early because I want to be here.

"My name is on 85,000 books. That’s my legacy and tombstone, once you get into the printing world, you become immortal."

Michael described his book shop as a haven of serendipity. "You will come across something you didn’t know you needed or that rings a bell.

"You go out with something you hadn’t come through the door for."