A SHOP which was a favourite haunt for science fiction, fantasy and comic fans for almost 35 years is being reopened in memory of its owner.

The Fantasy Bookshop in Christchurch Road, Pokesdown, closed after the death of Chris Hunter last year.

But his neighbour and friend Lucy Walton is re-opening the business this weekend as Fantasy Comics and Coffee. (SAT MAY 28)

Lucy, 24, got to know Chris when growing up. He had opened the shop with his dad, the artist and illustrator Alan Hunter, in 1981, mainly selling second hand science fiction books, comics and magazines.

“He was our neighbour for 12-13 years. When his dad passed away, we pretty much had dinner all the time and got to know each other really well,” she said.

“We got on like a house on fire. We were both real nerds. I did a computer gaming course and he was madly interested in that.”

Chris died at the age of 59, leaving many people wondering what had happened to the shop.

“He got cancer last summer and passed away in September. We were with him through the whole process,” said Lucy.

“While he was ill, he was leaving so many notes on how to run the shop. It was really what he wanted.

“When he was well enough, he was in the shop teaching me. At the time, we weren’t sure whether it would happen, but it’s worked out.”

Family, including Lucy’s mum Lisa Walton, and Lucy’s partner have helped redecorate the shop. With a coffee machine installed and places to sit, it is ready to open over the bank holiday weekend, Saturday to Monday.

The shop is stocked with SF books, vintage comics and some current titles, with plenty of Star Wars, Fantastic Four and Captain America. There will also be some of Alan Hunter’s art on sale.

Lucy said the shop, at the Iford end of Pokesdown, would fit in with the area’s vintage stores.

Her own favourites among the stock include the adventures of Captain America and Iron Man, currently hugely popular at the cinema in Captain America: Civil War.

Lucy said many people had missed the shop since its closure. “Since we’ve done it up, so many people have walked past and asked what happened to Chris and what’s happening with the shop,” she added.

“It will be an interesting hangout spot for people.”