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Peepal Tree: Championing Caribbean Literature Since 1985

12/4/2025

31 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Peepal Tree is an independent publisher based in Leeds since 1985, filling a gap in Caribbean literature.
Jeremy Poynting, founder of Peepal Tree, recognized opportunities for Black diaspora authors and started it as a hobby.
To cut costs, Poynting set up a garage printing press and ran all production for 12 years.
An Arts Council grant and remortgaging stabilized the business, and Trinidad emerged as a strong Caribbean market.

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Story summary

Peepal Tree is an independent publisher based in Leeds since 1985, filling a gap in Caribbean literature.
Jeremy Poynting, founder of Peepal Tree, recognized opportunities for Black diaspora authors and started it as a hobby.
To cut costs, Poynting set up a garage printing press and ran all production for 12 years.
An Arts Council grant and remortgaging stabilized the business, and Trinidad emerged as a strong Caribbean market.