Wales' most chaotic bookshop in Tenby is closing after 45 years

Albie Smosarski opened Cofion Books at 1 Bridge Street, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, more than four decades ago.

The shop was located within Tenby's Town Walls off Tudor Square, opposite the National Trust's Tudor Merchant's House.

Despite the chaos, local legend has it that Albie knew where every book was. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

From outside the shop, Albie’s customers could look out over the gorgeous view of Tenby Harbour.

Inside, they were entertained by Albie and enthralled by his vast collection of second-hand tomes.

The shop was known for its unique way of displaying its thousands of books. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

A keen postcard collector and trader, Albie also used the shop to sell antique postcards and custom-designed Tenby Memories calendars alongside his vast collection of books.

The shop was lovingly known for its rather haphazard methods of displaying its thousands of second-hand books, with piles of books stacked against the walls and crammed onto shelves.

Albie is loved for his sense of humour and expertise. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

It was known for its constantly changing stock and expert advice from Albie, and local legend has it that, despite the seeming clutter, Albie knew where everything was.

“He jolly well knew where all the individual titles were amongst his beautiful chaos,” said local photographer Gareth Davies.

Albie thanked his customers for their kindness and support. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

“Albie told me that on one occasion a guy entered his shop and told him that he had looked all over Manhattan NYC for particular books on Dylan Thomas, he [only] found one and bought it.

“When he left Albie's he had bought three books on his list on Dylan Thomas.”

Albie has retired after 45 years running Cofion Books. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

Gareth called Albie “A true star of old Tenby town where everyone seems to know him”.

According to the Tenby Observer, Albie grew up in a mining community in the Afan Valley near Port Talbot.

Cofion Books and its owner Albies have become somewhat of a local legend. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

In his younger days, he would come to Tenby on coach trips during the Miners’ Fortnight, a two-week holiday period where coal mines and industrial facilities shut down for annual maintenance.

More than four decades ago he came across 1 Bridge Street, which had previously been the Albatross Book Shop, totally empty.

Walls of books lined Cofion Books in Tenby. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

In a life-changing week, he managed to obtain a lease for the shop where he decided to sell his antique postcards and vast collection of books and remained for 45 years.

News of Albie’s retirement has been greeted with well wishes, as well as nostalgia for a quirky local business and its charming owner.

Albie outside Cofion Books, Bridge Street, Tenby. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

Albie thanked his customers and friends, saying:

“Thank you all for your kindness and support over 45 years. It’s time for me to retire.”