We are delighted to have introduced and brokered this exciting and important new partnership between leading publishers HarperCollins and The Marlborough Sports Garden Bankside London, which is making a real difference. Congratulations all the great people involved!

Harper Collins officially opened the Marlborough Story House with a new book space for children, families and local schools at Marlborough Sports Garden in Southwark, marking the beginning of a long-term commitment to bringing books to the local community as part of their activity around the National Year of Reading 2026 and the Summer of Sport.

The space was opened by HarperCollins UK CEO Kate Elton, alongside the National Year of Reading’s David Hayman, Tim Wood, Chair of Bankside Open Spaces Trust and MP Neil Coyle. They were joined by HarperCollins authors Farhana Islam and Rob Biddulph, plus former Aston Villa footballer Gabby Agbonlahor, who kicked things off by leading the children in a sports activity before the doors opened.

Stocked with HarperCollins children’s titles for young readers to discover and take home, the Story House was built almost entirely from reclaimed materials by regenerative design practice Yes Make – and decorated by a brilliant team of HarperCollins volunteers. They have also donated 500 books to each of eight local primary schools and a five-week programme of storytelling sessions begins at the end of July.