Alex Forbes

Risk of redundancy gave Alex Forbes the chance to follow his dream to own a bookshop, said his nominator for Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Rabbits Vehicle Hire.

“In 2017 Alex was at risk of redundancy from his office job but, after working for the same company for 15 years, wasn’t sure he was ready to do anything different," said the nominator.

“Alex had a dream that if he won the lottery he would like to run a bookshop and that’s when the idea of Fourbears Books was first born.”

He didn’t win the lottery but when he did leave his job. In 2020 he opened Fourbears Books in Prospect Street, Caversham.

“The name of the shop was an easy decision; a friend’s children had called Alex ‘Fourbears’ so when he was thinking about a name for the shop, that seemed perfect.”

The nominator said Fourbears hosts many events including a baby reading group, book launches, welcomes visiting authors and in the lead into the Christmas season, Wine and Words

“The most ambitious event is Fourbears Fest for children. The event has grown and in 2025 included many events for both adults and children across various venues.

“Alex is a true entrepreneur, seeing an opportunity which also fulfilled his long-term dream.”

The shop has also been nominated for Independent Retailer of the Year sponsored by REDA and Reading BID.

Fourbears offers a book ordering service and opens six days a week “to ensure excellent customer service,” said their nominator.

“The shop is a community asset and even opens on Christmas Day for a few hours so people who are alone can visit for a chat and mince pie.

“On the Fourbears website, Alex says: ‘We feel incredibly lucky to have such a supportive and friendly community and more than anything we want our bookshop to be a central part of the community; from working with schools and young people, to hosting a wide range of events, book clubs and writing clubs.’

“Caversham is incredibly lucky to have Fourbears Books.”