A charity bookshop has caused a stir after it erected a floor-to-ceiling tower display that saw some some praise the creativity, but others highlight a health and safety flaw
Shoppers were left stunned by a charity bookshop’s ‘hazardous’ display (stock)(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
A charity bookshop has sparked debate over an “incredible display” that has left customers puzzled by its potential “hazard”. A photograph of the secondhand store was posted to social media, revealing a spiral tower stretching from floor to ceiling constructed entirely from books.
According to the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, there are around 550 charity shops with 11,400 volunteers in Wales, but you’d perhaps be hard pressed to find one as daring as this. “So, we are lucky enough to have a charity shop just for books,” the customer explained in a Reddit post. “They don’t have prices just donations just thought I’d share this incredible display from real books I can’t imagine how long it took.”
The tower, which stood in the middle of the shop floor, was surrounded by conventional shelves packed with an array of fiction and non-fiction titles.
The customer went on to praise: “It’s an incredible shop its set out so beautifully and you can just sit and chill, today a group of teenagers were playing chess. I’m considering volunteering but I’m disabled so not sure if I’d be any use.”
Impressive as the structure undoubtedly is, and clearly no small undertaking to build, others found themselves questioning its stability – particularly at a time when public health and safety has never been more prominent.
“I think they need a volunteer health and safety officer,” quipped one Reddit user in response. A second person pondered: “Looks cool and everything but what if you want one of the books?”.
A third exclaimed: “That can’t be freestanding? Be a real hazard.”
A fourth exclaimed: “This is mental though in a public space. The windows make this very weak and that weight could probably kill a child. I really like it, but it’s surprising to see in 2026.”
While a fifth Reddit user commented: “Echoing other people here. It’s probably made to look freestanding but it does need checking out. So dangerous if not. Who do you report these things to?”.
Seeking to allay concerns, another Reddit user offered reassurance: “It’ll be glued. Theres also a good chance whoever built it has been to wake the tiger and seen their mirrored book tower (which is also glued).”
Earlier this month, a charity shop manager issued a stark message about why many second-hand stores find themselves in such a “saddening state” in 2026. Her remarks came in response to a customer who expressed their dismay at the state of their high street – slamming the “unkempt” shop floors and “obnoxious” members of staff.
“We can only sell what people donate,” she said. “We need to put the higher value items that we do get on eBay to make the most money for the charity that we can.”
And she went on to describe the other battles charity shops now face. “It’s getting harder to attract volunteers, applications at my national chain are seriously down and judging by the ‘Volunteers Wanted’ posters in every charity shop we’re all in the same boat,” the manager explained.
“Without volunteers the lone paid member of staff is pretty screwed. All in all, it’s a tough time for charity retailing for everyone, customers included.”
