We all know that
independent bookshops have been having a tough time for a number of years, but
on Saturday, I had the encouraging experience of visiting two excellent indies
that have not only survived the recession, but flourished.
After visiting
Lancaster and Kendal earlier in the day, I headed for Ambleside – home, at
least for the moment, to Hannah Scarlett – and Fred Holdsworth's nicely located
shop, run by Steve with excellent support from knowledgeable assistants. I
remember calling in there one miserable January afternoon when I was
researching The Serpent Pool, in which some of the action takes place in
Ambleside.
Then it was a short
drive through Wordsworth country to Grasmere, and Sam Read's shop, run by Elaine,
again with keen staff support. Elaine and her husband then kindly invited us to
their house, just across the road, for a welcome cup of tea before the journey
back down the motorway to home.
Why have Steve and
Elaine succeeded when so many others have failed? There is bound to be a
combination of reasons. Hard work and determination are musts. Both shops occupy good locations in lovely tourist
destinations which don't possess a major chain store such as Waterstones. But there's more to it
than that. I was struck by the genuine love that Steve and Elaine have for
books, and by the way they command the enthusiastic support of the people who
work for them. For any book buyer visiting either of these shops, there is sure
to be a genuine welcome, and good deal of well-informed advice and
recommendations. And Steve and Elaine are prepared to innovate, selling
varying lines from time to time, and showing the kind of enterprise that
makes all the difference in a small business. An example is the postcards that Elaine
sells, from photographs (of very high quality) taken by her husband.
All in all, my trip left
me more hopeful about the future of well-managed bookshops than I have been for
a long time. The economic climate present endless challenges, but there is
still room for really good retailers, and it was a pleasure to meet so many of
them on Saturday.
4 comments:
I think you've hit the nail on the head with the success of certain independent bookstores. It takes a rapport with the community, knowledgeable staff, and good location (free from major competition.) I'm glad you discovered two great shops. Hope they continue to flourish.
What a wonderful post. It always fills me with hope when I hear of people who succeed aginst the odds ... and I just love independent bookshops.
I send congratulations to them!
Wonderful news! At a time when all seems gloom and worry, it is so nice to read this.
Elizabeth, as every , thank you. Rapport with the community is, as you say, vital.
Aguja, yes, it was a hope-inspiring visit"
Nan, great to hear from you; thanks.
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