Shops to open early for JK’s book launch

Bookshops around the city will be opening their doors early tomorrow as JK Rowling fans flock to pick up a copy of her much-anticipated new novel.

The Edinburgh Bookshop on Bruntsfield Place said it would be opening 90 minutes earlier than usual, at 8am, with free coffee and croissants being served at the launch of The Casual Vacancy.

A spokeswoman for the store said: “There’s been so much interest in the book, we’re sure there will be lots of people coming in.”

A spokesperson from Blackwells on South Bridge also confirmed it would be opening at 8am, adding that “this is certainly the most pre-ordered book” the shop had dealt with in two years.

Branches of Waterstones are expected to follow suit, with the book banned from sale in the UK before that time.