Luxury Maldives resort advertises for bookseller to run a pop-up shop

A luxury resort in the Maldives is now hiring for the world’s best job – running a pop-up shop on a desert island frequented by a host of A-list celebrities and the super rich.  

Philip Blackwell, who ran the British bookshop chain Blackwells that his family owned until 2006, is hiring someone to run a bookshop based in the luxury resort Soneva Fushi.

Applicants must write a ‘lively blog’ about their experiences as a desert island bookseller, and entertain kids with storytelling.

The successful applicant will have to run the pop-up bookshop for at least three months and host creative writing courses.

Philip Blackwell, who ran the British bookshop chain Blackwells that his family owned until 2006, is hiring someone to run a bookshop in a luxury Maldives resort (file photo)

Mr Blackwell told the Guardian: ‘The pay is derisory but the fringe benefits unparalleled. 

‘The role will evolve and it is in part up to you to make the most of this unique opportunity. It’s a dream job for many people. If I was 25 again I would do it.’

Mr Blackwell runs more than 250 pop-up bookshops as part of his Ultimate Library business which supplies library collections for resort hotels, cruise ships and game reserves across the world. 

Ultimate Library also donate a library to institutions in the area so local people can  benefit from his bookshop business. 

He came up with the idea while on a ‘gap-year’ after Blackwells was sold, when he found it difficult to find a good book to read while on holiday.  

The successful applicant will leave near the luxury resort of Soneva Fushi (pictured) and sell books to a host of A-list celebrities

The successful applicant will leave near the luxury resort of Soneva Fushi (pictured) and sell books to a host of A-list celebrities

Mr Blackwell added: ‘We want someone on the ground who is creative and inspiring and can maybe get more people to share the pleasure of reading, which is what people enjoy doing on holiday.’

The store will sell books on topics relevant to the island as well as books wealthy, highly-educated tourists will enjoy.

The bookseller will live on the island near the resort where prices range between $1,945 (£1,520) a night for a one-bed property and $25,928 (£20,330) for their luxury nine-bedroom Private Reserve.

Neill Denny, joint editor of BookBrunch, a daily news magazine, told the Guardian: ‘It’s very much a niche in a niche, selling quality books to the super-rich, but they are starting to appreciate the discreet charm of a good book. 

‘And of course they have the money to pursue it, building entire libraries from scratch.’ 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk