A REVAMPED bookshop has reopened in style.

Over the weekend, staff at Waterstones, in Festival Place, celebrated the bookshop’s refurbishment with a The Tiger Who Came To Tea-themed party.

Characters from the beloved children’s picture book also appeared throughout the weekend, while families could enjoy story times, a treasure hunt and colouring activities.

The mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Sean Keating, cut the ribbon to officially launch the refurbished shop on Saturday, and customers were invited to toast the bookshop’s new look with a glass of wine.

Bookshop manager Matt Smith said: “We would very much like to thank our customers for their steadfast support throughout our refurbishment.

“It is their passion for books that has made our bookshop such a success, and made all the changes possible.”

The redevelopment brings more space for the children’s and history sections, and the creation of an open-plan area dedicated to new and bestselling books.

Best-selling crime novelist John Connolly will launch the bookshop’s new events programme, visiting Waterstones on Tuesday, 30 April at 12.30pm to sign copies of his new thriller A Book of Bones.

The shop hosts a range of events including Sunday story times, book launches with local writers and visits from celebrated authors.