About Us
Eddington Hook
Eddington Hook was formed in 1968 by Martin Hook and Tim Eddington. It started as a specialist bookseller for Open University students and a few years later developed niche book services in Hospitality, Catering & Tourism. A small chain of shops were opened under the name of Hooks Books and the company also branched into distribution for small to medium sized publishers.
In 1991 Eddington Hook sold its distribution business to Combined Book Services and then became a client of CBS, allowing Eddington Hook itself to focus on book selling. Today Eddington Hook remains a leading supplier of set books to Open University Students and prides itself on providing a highly efficient and personal service to its customers. Our knowledge and expertise makes us a first choice for many students when purchasing or needing advice with their set books.
In 1991 Eddington Hook sold its distribution business to Combined Book Services and then became a client of CBS, allowing Eddington Hook itself to focus on book selling. Today Eddington Hook remains a leading supplier of set books to Open University Students and prides itself on providing a highly efficient and personal service to its customers. Our knowledge and expertise makes us a first choice for many students when purchasing or needing advice with their set books.
Combined Book Services
In 2005 Martin Hook retired and Combined Book Services purchased Eddington Hook, this made perfect sense due to the close association for many years. Combined Book Services provides book distribution for around 25 publishers and occupies 22,000 square foot warehouse in the heart of Kent. Client publishers include Encyclopaedia Britannica, Robert Hale Ltd, teNeues Publishing and ICE Publishing.
The Open University
Since the set books scheme launched in 1971, Eddington Hook has had a very close working relationship with the Open University. Today that relationship is as strong as ever and our members of staff are in regular contact with the Set Books team at the OU, discussing correct editions, new courses and set book availability problems at the publisher! We also have a strong relationship with the commercial arm, Open University Worldwide, and stock many of their publications as well as co-published course units.