A pair risked it all to become Wigtown bookstore owners.

Joyce Cochrane's life changed when she discovered she was pregnant. She and her partner Ian decided to leave their jobs in Edinburgh and take a leap of faith by moving to Wigtown to revive a former bookshop. It was a risky move, considering they had no stock, shelves, or experience in retail. But they were determined to turn their dream into a reality.

Fast forward 20 years, and Joyce and Ian are now the proud owners of The Old Bank Bookshop, one of the most successful literature-related businesses in Scotland's National Book Town. It's hard to believe that their journey began with a simple conversation on Easter Sunday, when Ian shared his dream of opening a bookshop in Wigtown. Joyce surprised him by immediately saying yes, not knowing that she was pregnant at the time. Looking back, she believes it was the "happy hormones" that made her agree to take a chance on their dream.

After searching for the perfect location, they stumbled upon the Old Bank Bookshop, which was available for sale. With the help of their community, including fellow bookshop owner Shaun Bythell, they were able to turn the empty building into a thriving business. Even the former owner, John Carter, was excited to see the shop continue as a bookstore and accompanied them to auctions to buy books.

Joyce and Ian's commitment to their business and their community has not gone unnoticed. Joyce is a leading volunteer in Wigtown's world-famous Open Book Airbnb and served on the Wigtown Festival Company and Book Town Development Board for many years. She has also been a mainstay at the annual Wigtown Book Festival, sponsoring events and hosting notable guests like former cabinet minister Alan Johnson.

Anne Barclay, Operations Director of Wigtown Festival Company, praises Joyce and Ian for their contributions to the festival and the Book Town. She says they are always willing to help, no matter how bizarre the request may be. In fact, they once agreed to let turkeys and alpacas roam around their garden for an event.

As they celebrate their 20th anniversary on September 17th, Joyce and Ian are grateful for the support of their customers and community. To mark the occasion, they will be offering a glass of fizz to customers and giving away 20 books. It's hard to believe that their journey began with a simple conversation and a risky decision, but their hard work and dedication have made The Old Bank Bookshop a beloved institution in Wigtown.

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