Hi Sean,
Unfortunately I can't help you get a hold of a copy of the rulebook from a "bricks and mortar" store round the north east, But www.waylandgames.co.uk/ and www.maelstromgames.co.uk/ are both two uk stockists who I have personally used and can recommend, and are popular with our gaming group.
I attend one of the largest wargames groups in the North east called the Northumbrian Adventurers guild (of which a few members of this forum also attend),
We are based in blyth in northumberland, so its not on your doorstep, but its not too far away, if you can drive or get a lift that is.
we have a website www.anythingbutaone.com which has an active forum (if you sign up to the forum please PM me on this board so I can make sure your account is activated)
We meet on a sunday, from 12-7, so if you can make it down (up?), you'll have plenty time to play with.
We don't just play malifaux, if you are into other wargames we are pretty much up for anything, and have around 80 members, and an average turnout of about 30-40 each week, so plenty opportunites for opponents!
We mainly play malifaux, Flames of War, Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Fantasy, dysatopian wars as well as a few roleplays, collectable card games as well.
Hope you can come down sometime.
Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Chris