Village Books Closing Wandsworth Common Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
Real shame to say that Village Books on Wandsworth Common is closing.

They still have Dulwich but the Bellevue Road branch will be sadly missed!


A

[juliantenniscoach]

Business rates & Amazon = Can't compete. Sad but true.

[Jen66]

That is sad. There aren't going to be any independent book shops left soon - I expect it will be another bloody estate agents

[milliesmum]

That is so sad. I always buy my books there..wouldn't dream of doing it online. Is there anything we can do you know? I will go in there at the weekend. It's been a huge part of my kids's lives...and Bellevue Road will get yet another chain.

[broodje]

I must say I am surprised they survived for so long. I could only get something there for kids 50% of the time and the guy there was not knowledgable at all about latest kids books - an issue if you want your shop to prosper in Nappy Valley.

I don't like Amazon because I want to touch and look at the book, but also because I hate waiting, but almost every visit to Village Book turned out to be a disappointment because they didn't have stuff in stock. Being able to buy what you want right there and then is the only advantage a traditional bookshop would have and their didn't fulfill that need.

Waterstones in Southside is much better, but Foyles in Charing Cross is the best. They have things in stock 90-95% of the time and their kids department person is absolutely superb. I am afraid that's the only way to survive for a traditional bricks and mortar book retailer, even though they are much more expensive than getting stuff on Amazon, sometime outrageously so.

[Caferacer]

Oh no - that's a real loss!

I always order my books from them, the delay is no longer than waiting for Amazon to post and, more importantly, it supports a local independent shop.

In fact a book shop is just the sort of establishment that adds character and colour to the area. Bellvue Road is slowly becoming just another 'Cloned High Street'. Very sad.

I dream of a council that charges 25% of rates to a book/toy/clothes/nick- nack shop and 200% to Estate Agents...

[zaza107]

oh no. That's too bad, though I agree that whoever I usually spoke with there (not sure if he's the owner) wasn't hugely helpful. It's good to know about Foyle's. I've stopped using Amazon and, for books, Book People aren't bad. A quick check shows they are UK based, though admittedly not a local shop to support...

[KatyLonz]

A great shame the shop is closing, but why not try the Barnes Bookshop instead? Combine a lovely refreshing walk along the river with some literary purchases. They also sell fabulous toys and party bags. This independent bookshop (owned by a Balham resident) is sister to the Kew Bookshop and the Sheen Bookshop.

[Vivtaylorgee]

Good news: a new bookshop is on the way!

When Bolingbroke Books in Northcote Road announced its closure in March, we held a public meeting to see what could be done. 70 people came, and voted to start a bookshop! Six months later and we are a steering committee about to apply for legal status as a non profit Society for the Benefit of the Community - ie a bookshop owned by community shareholders, ie you!

We will be issuing shares before Christmas and really REALLY hope people will buy shares and help to make this bookshop and community hub a reality. It will be professionally run, and will probably be based in the Northcote library building, with a cafe. It will have a special amazing section for children.

We have had loads of goodwill and would welcome support and help in getting this going from anyone with any time to spare - our website is at http://www.northcotebooks.com
Thanks

Viv Taylor Gee

[Caferacer]

Now that is a great idea!

[Annabel (admin)]

Very sad...

The link explains they're asking for 37k per year rent (if I have read that right) and I guess if one includes rates that is about 55k per year before you've even opened a shop.

No-one wonder delis find it hard to make work

http://www.vausecribb.co.uk/wandsworth- ... hop-to-let

[Tinker-Bell]

Its sad to see this pretty little shop close down they used to have some good books here. I guess Amazon is killing off the smaller retailers.

[Annabel (admin)]

I would be interested to know how much rates might be on somewhere like this.

Does anyone know?

Tks

A

[Sherlika]

I agree with brodjee. Foyles is the best bookshop in London.

[helloUGT]

Don't forget Under the Greenwood Tree in Clapham Old Town, 3 mins from Clapham common tube and buses - a specialist children's bookshop (with toys and a cafe).

Shameless self promotion!

Look forward to seeing you here,

Sophie & the UGT team
Under the Greenwood Tree
11 the Polygon
SW4 0JG
www.underthegreenwoodtree.co.uk