Book News: Decline of the Independent Bookshop as UK figures fall below 1,000 for the first time

The number of independent bookshops in the UK has fallen to just 987, with Surrey's oldest bookshop the latest victim 

 Children reading Harry Potter books in The Lion & Unicorn Bookshop in Richmond, which closed down last year.

The number of independent bookshops in the UK has fallen below 1,000 for the first time as a combination of Amazon, e-books and High Street rent increases puts them out of business.

Another 67 bookshops closed last year, leaving just 987 across the country. In 2005, the figure was 1,535.

The figures were released by the Booksellers Association, which warned that the situation has reached crisis point for independent retailers.

Tim Godfray, chief executive of the Booksellers Association, said: “Bookshops are important cultural and community hubs, and make a vital contribution to the health of our high streets and local economies in particular, so it is always disappointing to see them close.

“Everyone should sit up and take notice of this. The book trade, the government and the general public need to realise that if we don’t take action now, the future of our bookshops – and therefore the health of the publishing industry and reading itself – is at risk.”

Among the closures last year was the Lion & Unicorn Bookshop in Richmond, south-west London, which closed its doors after 36 years. It was one of the few booksellers in the UK devoted solely to children's books, and Roald Dahl was guest of honour at its opening in 1977.
Amazon and other online retailers are held to be the chief reason behind the decline, along with supermarkets offering hefty discounts. The rise of e-readers such as the Kindle have also played a part.
In addition, high rents are making life difficult for shop owners, while parking charges are deterring customers.
The Booksellers Association said there was some reason to take heart – 26 new independent bookshops opened last year.
But this year will see more closures. The latest victim is the Ibis Bookshop in Banstead, Surrey, which will close next month after 76 years. It is believed to be the oldest bookshop in the county.
The owner, Linda Jones, said Amazon had killed her business.
Loyal customers had pledged £62,000 towards buying the lease in a bid to keep the shop open and protect it from rising rents, but it was not enough.
Ms Jones said: “Our customers have been wonderful but I have kept the business going for much longer than I should have.
“The books industry is changing. We tried to change with it – we offer great service including a next-day delivery. But in the last year or so, things have really taken a tumble.
“The e-reader has had an impact but Amazon has been our biggest problem. People don’t want to purchase from shops any more. It’s a different generation.
“I feel so angry about what they have done to our industry.”
Independent bookshops offer a sense of community that Amazon cannot match, Ms Jones said.
“In the shop we recommend books, we know our customers by name. They sit down in the corner and have a cup of tea. For so long in this country we had a sense of community, and bookshops are part of that.
“But people need to support bookshops. There is this ideology of ‘Oh, isn’t it wonderful having these shops in our towns, it makes us look so cultured’. But people still shop on Amazon. If they don’t vote with their feet and walk into a bookshop, then bookshops are not going to be there any more.” 

Taken from The Telegraph newspaper. 22 Feb 2014

When did you last visit an independent bookshop?

Are there any near you?

Why do you visit them?

There has not been an independent bookshop in my local town for several years.  Just before Christmas 2013 a small Waterstone's shop opened, selling mainly discounted but also some new books.  It was only supposed to be temporary but, due to demand, it is still open.