A vending machine that dispenses Penguin Books has been installed at Exeter St. David’s train station and has been officially unveiled by the bestselling author Michael Morpurgo and his wife, Clare.

The machine has been installed thanks to a new partnership between Penguin Books, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and Great Western Railway.

Clare Morpurgo’s father is Sir Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin Books and at the unveiling, Clare spoke about Sir Allen and his work at Penguin.

The Penguin Books story began at Exeter St. David’s in 1934 when Sir Allen Lane couldn’t find a good book to read at the station, only magazines or reprints of Victorian novels.

That inspired him to found Penguin Books, where high quality, engaging and reasonably priced books should be available to everyone, anywhere. The following year saw the birth of the paperback when Penguin Books released its first ten titles.

The company has now returned to its roots so that the Penguin Books vending machine ensures that Exeter’s commuters won’t face the same problem as Sir Allen Lane.

The machine was supplied by Southwest-based vending machine company Graddon Vending and has been installed at the entrance to the station. It stocks a wide range of Penguin Books with both contemporary and classic titles.

Titles will be regularly changed, including new releases, perennial favourites, and books marking key moments throughout the year such as LGBTQIA+ History Month, Black History Month, and UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day.

Profits from the machine will go towards the Exeter City of Literature, which is a charity that champions stories and storytellers locally and globally, and Bookbag, a beloved local independent bookstore.

In less than a month, over 200 books have been sold from the machine.

Clare Morpurgo, Sir Allen Lane’s daughter, says: “I am delighted to have been invited to unveil the new Penguin Vending Machine at Exeter St Davids station. Nearly 90 years ago, at the same station, my father, Allen Lane, was inspired to start a publishing revolution. His aim was to make buying a book as easy as buying a packet of cigarettes. He would have been tickled pink by the Penguin Vending Machine. And he loved being tickled pink!”

Michael Morpurgo, the bestselling author, says: “It took 70 years of writing, let’s call it an apprenticeship, to be published by Puffin. It makes me quite an aged Penguin group author, but very proud that I’m there amongst all those luminaries who have written for such a great and certainly unique, publishing house.

“I should say that I write for pleasure, my own pleasure and love to share it if I can with my readers. It’s why I go on writing because reading is so important to a young child’s life.”

Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, knew of Penguin’s origin story and approached the publisher in 2021 with the idea for a book vending machine at St Davids. She says, “The immense popularity of this vending machine shows how much joy books and reading bring to peoples’ lives.

“Exeter has inspired readers and writers for centuries, and we’re honoured to have been the place of inspiration for the founding of Penguin Books and for future iterations of Penguin Book Vending Machines around the country.”

Zainab Juma, Head of Brand at Penguin, says: “When Exeter City of Literature approached us about the Penguin Books vending machine, we knew immediately that it was the perfect way to celebrate our origins. Whiling away your time with a book is one of the great pleasures of train travel and this machine is just what our founder Allen Lane would have wanted to see as he set off on his journey.

“We’re especially pleased that the vending machine will benefit Bookbag, a local independent bookstore, and Exeter City of Literature who do brilliant work celebrating Exeter’s literary history and making books and reading more accessible in the local community.”

Paul Gentleman, Head of External Communications for GWR, says: “GWR’s affiliation with Penguin Books, which dates back nearly 90 years, is something we are very proud of. This book vending machine is a wonderful addition to Exeter St Davids station and is already proving popular with customers.

“A good book is a perfect accompaniment to a relaxing train journey. Whether you’re heading on holiday to an iconic destination or passing the time on your daily commute, this installation means you can pick up a Penguin Book just before you travel.”