Discover a world of local tales and literary treasures in our lovingly converted telephone booth on Commercial Street.
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When British Telecom began decommissioning their iconic red telephone booths in 2019, we saw an opportunity to preserve this piece of London heritage while creating something entirely new and meaningful for our community.
Our booth at 100 Commercial Street was purchased through BT's Adopt a Kiosk scheme and lovingly restored over six months. Every detail was carefully considered—from custom-built shelving that maximizes the compact space to the solar-powered lighting system that illuminates the booth at night.
What makes Brimlestone truly special is our focus on local narratives. Every book, pamphlet, and zine in our collection has a connection to East London—written by local authors, set in our neighborhoods, or exploring the rich cultural tapestry that makes this area unique.
Meet Our CommunityWe prioritize works by East London writers, providing a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard. From established novelists to emerging poets, our collection celebrates the literary talent flourishing right here in our community.
By repurposing a classic K6 telephone booth, we've preserved a piece of British cultural heritage while giving it new life. Our restoration process honored Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's original design while adapting the interior for its new literary purpose.
Beyond our curated collection, we operate on a "take a book, leave a book" principle with a local twist. Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own stories about London or works by local authors, creating an ever-evolving library that reflects our community.
Our most popular item features short stories from 15 local writers exploring the changing face of Spitalfields and Shoreditch. From tales of market traders to reflections on gentrification, this collection captures the essence of our neighborhood in transition.
This beautifully illustrated volume traces the remarkable history of Brick Lane through personal accounts spanning generations. From Huguenot weavers to Bengali restaurateurs, these stories weave together to form a rich tapestry of East London's most diverse street.
Written by local historian Eleanor Bennett, this meticulously researched book uncovers forgotten tales from the area's past—from the mysterious Jack the Ripper connections to the hidden underground spaces beneath our streets. Each copy includes a hand-drawn map for self-guided exploration.
I discovered Brimlestone on my lunch break and was instantly charmed. I picked up 'East End Voices' and couldn't put it down—reading stories set on the very streets I was walking brought a whole new dimension to my daily commute. I've since contributed my own short story about moving to London from Glasgow.
As a teacher at nearby Spitalfields Primary, I've brought several groups of children to Brimlestone. Watching their faces light up as they squeeze into this magical little space is priceless. The team even helped us create a class project where each pupil wrote a story about their favorite local place.
I stumbled upon Brimlestone while visiting from Manchester and was blown away by the concept. I ended up spending an hour chatting with one of the volunteers about the area's history. I left with a beautiful handmade zine featuring poems about the old Spitalfields Market that I'll treasure forever.
Have questions about Brimlestone? Want to donate books or suggest a local author? Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.