St. Pancras shines a light on books and reading
The St. Pancras Christmas tree has been produced in collaboration with Hatchards bookshop
Shining a spotlight on the industry
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2023 16:31 GMT
The Christmas tree showcases London’s history with books and publishing which is also evident with other London locations like the historic Stationers’ Hall
St. Pancras International station is currently home to an impactful Christmas tree showcasing the joy of books, publishing, and reading.
The 12-meter-tall centrepiece is inspired by the fantastical worlds and stories created by authors such as Charles Dickens and C.S Lewis.
The tree includes a winding staircase and 270 shelves with over 3,800 hand-painted books including A Christmas Carol and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Created as a celebration of literature but also a way to encourage breaks from screens and the digital world, St. Pancras and its local collaborator Hatchards bookshop hope to inspire a return to the transformative power of books.
The Christmas tree has been supported by Penguin Books which helped provide eight audio listening booths which provide five-minute audio excepts from authors like Beatrix Potter, Richard Osman, and Tom Fletcher.
St. Pancras says trends like BookTok on social
media have led to a 25% increase in young people’s reading habits
Luke Taylor, Retail Director at Hatchards comments: " Whether we are young or old, books offer an escape from the hurly burly bustle of the modern world that no other medium can compete with; and there are few better ways to enjoy a good read than whistling through the countryside on a train...
“We are delighted to be partnering with St. Pancras International to bring this joy to the many station visitors, allowing people to escape, relax and enjoy literature for a few moments with the station tree. What a start to the festive season!"
The station has long-established history with literature,
from its patronage of Sir John Betjeman, who saved the station from demolition
in the 1960s, to the station’s proximity to The British Library.
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