Legendary Black Country personality to close his bookshop near Dudley after 64 years
Black Country legend John Sparry is closing his famous bookshop after 64 years, blaming the rising cost of insurance.
John Sparry, who is in his mid-80s, first started selling books from the front room of his cottage in Wall Heath, near Dudley, in 1961.
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John, who became known around the world for his old-fashioned lifestyle, said that once planning permission was secured, he would be returning the home his grandparents bought for in 1910 for £116 to its original state.
A well-known raconteur, jazz musician and historian, John used to make regular appearances on BBC Radio 4 talking about his interesting life.
