BOOK lovers have come from far and wide to browse and buy at Portland’s Paper Nautilus over the past 15 years. But its final chapter is about to be written.

The 1850s building at 67 Bentinck Street has been sold and the bookshop will close in August.

Until then, bookshop owners George and Veronica Dowden are having a closing sale – 50 per cent off everything.

With its nooks and crannies, bookcases stacked with a diverse range of pre-loved books, Paper Nautilus is a quirky haven for bibliophiles, who can spend an inordinate amount of time there exploring and chatting with the knowledgeable George or his friendly staff.

It’s a rare buyer who leaves empty handed.

The Dowdens will stay in Portland. Mr Dowden said that at 85, it was perhaps time to finally retire.

“I’ve ‘retired’ several times, but this has accelerated it.

“It’s hard for me to comment at the moment, but I would like to thank the public, who have been so supportive over the years.”