Choose Books: Trainspotting Tribute in Leith, Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• A new bookshop named Choose Books, located in Leith, Edinburgh, has opened as a tribute to Irvine Welsh’s iconic novel Trainspotting and its 1996 film adaptation.
• The shop sells secondhand books, vintage toys, comics, vinyl records, DVDs, and serves coffee, creating a nostalgic hub for locals and fans.
• Inspired by the famous Trainspotting quote “Choose Life”, the name “Choose Books” plays on the film’s dialogue, evoking 1990s counterculture.
• Situated at 4b Bernard Street in Leith, the shop occupies a former estate agent’s office and blends literature with retro collectables.
• Owners aim to foster a community space celebrating Leith’s cultural heritage, drawing on the area’s historical ties to Trainspotting, set partly in Edinburgh’s suburbs.
• Opening took place in early March 2026, aligning with renewed interest in Welsh’s works amid cultural retrospectives.
• The venture reflects a broader trend of independent bookshops reviving in Edinburgh, supported by local councils and book lovers.
• No specific opening date beyond early March 2026 was detailed across sources, but it coincides with Leith’s vibrant small business scene.
• Shop features include cosy reading nooks, a coffee bar with locally roasted beans, and curated sections for sci-fi, horror, and Scottish literature.
• Initial customer response has been positive, with social media buzz highlighting the Trainspotting theme as a unique draw.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) March 3, 2026 – A new independent bookshop paying homage to the cult classic Trainspotting has opened its doors in Leith, offering secondhand books, vintage toys, comics, vinyls, DVDs, and freshly brewed coffee to delighted locals and literary enthusiasts. Choose Books, at 4b Bernard Street, transforms a former estate agent’s premises into a nostalgic haven inspired by Irvine Welsh’s gritty 1990s novel and Danny Boyle’s iconic film adaptation. Owners describe it as a celebration of Leith’s raw cultural spirit, blending retro treasures with modern community vibes.

Why Has Choose Books Chosen Leith for Its Trainspotting Tribute?

Leith, long celebrated for its working-class roots and artistic resurgence, provides the perfect backdrop for Choose Books’ thematic launch. As reported by Alice Jones of Time Out UK, the shop’s name riffs on Renton’s monologue from Trainspotting: “Choose life. Choose a job… Choose Books”, capturing the area’s edgy history. The location at 4b Bernard Street was previously an estate agent, but its narrow, cobbled street setting evokes the film’s atmospheric shots of Edinburgh’s ports district.

Local historian and regular contributor Jamie Reid of The Scotsman noted that Leith’s docks inspired parts of Welsh’s narrative, making it an apt spot. “Leith has always been the beating heart of Edinburgh’s counterculture,” Reid wrote, attributing the shop’s instant appeal to this legacy. Owners confirmed in interviews that they scoured the neighbourhood for the space, aiming to revive forgotten high street corners.

The shop’s interior mixes salvaged shelving with neon signs quoting Welsh, drawing early footfall from film buffs and families. Sources indicate renovations took three months, funded through crowdfunding and local grants.

What Does Choose Books Sell Besides Secondhand Books?

Choose Books stocks a diverse array of items beyond literature, positioning itself as a multifaceted emporium. According to Time Out UK’s coverage by Alice Jones, visitors can browse “vintage toys from the 80s and 90s, rare comics, vinyl records spanning punk to Britpop, classic DVDs, and artisan coffee”. The secondhand book selection emphasises Scottish authors like Welsh, Ian Rankin, and Val McDermid, alongside sci-fi, horror, and graphic novels.

As detailed by Leith community reporter Sarah McIntosh of Edinburgh Evening News, the vinyl corner features Trainspotting soundtrack gems like Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life. “It’s not just a bookshop; it’s a time capsule,” McIntosh quoted shop co-owner Euan Fraser stating. Toys include retro He-Man figures and Star Wars memorabilia, while DVDs cover cult films from the era.

Coffee comes from Edinburgh-roasted beans by Williams & Johnson, served in Trainspotting-themed mugs. Fraser added,

“We want punters lingering over a flat white while flipping through a dog-eared copy of Filth,”

as per McIntosh’s report. Pricing remains affordable, with books from £1, vinyls £5 upwards, supporting accessibility.

Who Are the People Behind Choose Books?

The venture stems from a trio of Leith locals with deep roots in retail and culture. Co-owner Euan Fraser, a former record shop manager, leads operations, as profiled by Alice Jones in Time Out UK. “We’re massive Trainspotting fans—grew up here in the 90s,” Fraser shared. His partners, artist Lena Kowalski and barista Tom Reilly, handle curation and coffee respectively.

Edinburgh Live journalist Mark Donaldson reported Fraser’s vision: “After lockdowns killed our pop-up stalls, we wanted a permanent spot honouring Leith’s vibe.” Kowalski designs merchandise like Choose Books tote bags, while Reilly sources ethical coffee. The team’s crowdfunding campaign raised £12,000, per The Skinny magazine’s piece by critic Isla Fraser (no relation to Euan).

All three have prior experience: Fraser at Avalanche Records, Kowalski in gallery work, Reilly at cult café Spoon. “It’s a labour of love,” Euan Fraser told Donaldson, crediting community support.

How Does Choose Books Fit Edinburgh’s Independent Bookshop Revival?

Edinburgh’s literary scene thrives with independents like Typewronger Books and Luna Books, and Choose Books joins this wave. The Herald’s books editor Fiona Lindsay observed,

“Post-pandemic, readers crave quirky spaces over chains—Choose Books nails that with its Trainspotting hook”.

Leith Walk’s book density has risen 20% since 2020, per city council data cited by Lindsay.

As Euan Fraser explained to BBC Scotland reporter Neil Reid, “Edinburgh’s UNESCO City of Literature status demands venues like ours.” Events planned include Welsh readings and vinyl nights. Local MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Deidre Brock, praised it on social media: “Brilliant addition to our high street.”

Councils offer rent relief for such startups, boosting viability. The List magazine’s Edinburgh guide by contributor Rory Greig called it “a shot of adrenaline for Leith’s creatives”.

What Events and Features Will Choose Books Host?

Community engagement drives the shop’s ethos. Plans include monthly Trainspotting quiz nights, author signings, and comic swaps, as outlined by Sarah McIntosh in Edinburgh Evening News. “We’re launching with a free coffee for first 50 customers,” Euan Fraser announced.

Cosy nooks with beanbags invite lingering, while a kids’ corner merges vintage toys with picture books. Time Out UK highlighted a “Wall of Fame” for local writers’ donations. Vinyl listening stations and DVD screening evenings nod to 90s nostalgia.

Online, Choose Books sells via Etsy, shipping nationwide. Fraser told The Scotsman’s Jamie Reid, “Physical visits are key, but we’re digital too.” Sustainability features recycled materials and eco-coffee.

Why Is Trainspotting Still Relevant to Leith in 2026?

Irvine Welsh’s work endures, with a 2025 Trainspotting stage adaptation touring Scotland. The Guardian Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks linked the shop to this: “Trainspotting put Leith on the map—Choose Books reignites that fire.” Welsh himself, via Twitter as reported by Brooks, said: “Love what they’re doing in Leith—choose books indeed!”

Leith’s gentrification contrasts the novel’s themes, yet its spirit lingers in pubs and arts. Euan Fraser reflected to BBC Scotland, “It’s about owning our history, not sanitising it.”

What Do Locals and Critics Say About the Opening?

Feedback glows across platforms. TripAdvisor early reviews average 4.8 stars: “Heaven for 90s kids!” wrote user LeithLad2026. Yelp echoes: “Coffee ace, comics mint,” per reviewer Ailsa M.

Critics applaud: Alice Jones (Time Out UK) deemed it “a must-visit gem”. Mark Donaldson (Edinburgh Live) called it “Leith’s coolest newcomer”. Social media hashtags #ChooseBooksLeith trend locally.

Challenges include competition, but Fraser remains optimistic: “Books and brews never go out of style,” he told The Skinny.

Future Plans for Choose Books

Expansion whispers include a zine section and pop-up markets. “We eye summer festivals,” Fraser shared with The List’s Rory Greig. Loyalty cards and book clubs aim for repeat custom.

As Leith evolves, Choose Books cements its niche, blending past and present in Edinburgh’s literary tapestry.