Will the bookshop close?
As you know, I am retiring in January. I have been overwhelmed by emails and verbal responses to my previous announcement, and it's clear that a great many people will miss the bookshop if it closes. Thank you!
So shall I ...
Charlbury would not be the same without a bookshop.
So far no one has come along and said they would like to take it over. However, there are several possibilities...
(1) When I opened Evenlode Books on April Fool's Day 2000, my principal business was as a publisher. The rear of the shop was my office, and the bookshop paid the overheads and a little extra. There is no reason why the shop should not continue to run on the same basis: bookshop in the front, office (not necessarily book-related at all) behind. In terms of a person's income, most of it would have to come from the office business.
(2) The bookshop could continue broadly as it is, but owned and run by a collective of volunteers. I have nearly 40 years of bookselling experience and will happily contribute my know-how to any continuing venture on a voluntary basis. Run as a single business (i.e. without the need for secondary office space) the retail area could be extended backwards by 2-3 feet if needed.
(3) A bookshop could open in different premises, or even in part of an existing shop. The possibilities are very limited, but they are there, if owners/landlords are willing.
Several people have suggested the voluntary and/or cooperative option, and several person have said they would pay a subscription of £50 or more a year to keep it open if enough other people offered to do the same. (A scheme like this might fund a part-time manager who would be assisted by a team of volunteers.)
I will arrange a public meeting in September where people can come along and discuss the options and how they might be able to contribute. But I feel very strongly that we need to see people who will help with the practical work. From my recent experience, at least half Charlbury is very vocal in saying that we need a bookshop and that Evenlode Books should remain open. I've yet to meet the people who say they will make that happen!
Perhaps one of those people is you, and perhaps you will come to the meeting. Or reply to me now!
Date, time and place to follow in a couple of weeks, both here, by email and on posters.
Jon Carpenter jon@evenlodebooks.co.uk 01608 819117
Jon Carpenter · Fri 9 Aug 2013, 16:13 · Link