I read a fascinating article this morning regarding the rapid decline in independent bookshops across the UK, according to The Booksellers Association.
Membership of the body, which represents 95% of booksellers in the UK and Ireland, has continued to decline over the last six years.
Since 2006, the total number of members, not including supermarket outlets, has fallen by 20%. Independent bookshop membership has fallen by over a quarter during the same period. When you think about the history of bookstores, it is a rather alarming statistic.
The two main causes seem to be the ever increasing rent on these small stores, yet more importantly the increasing demand for e-books. Sales of e-books increased by 318% in 2010, and many predict that at least 50% of all books sold within 10 years will be digital downloads.
If I am being honest I do read books on my Ipad, I have pre-ordered the new Kindle Fire, yet despite the wonderful convenience that these devices hold nothing replaces the sheer excitement of picking up a new book.
With the ever-growing chains of bookstores such as Waterstones or Books etc, the smaller independent bookstores have a fight on their hands in order to survive. Personally I prefer the experience of walking into a small, independent, second-hand bookstore than the cleaner environment of these larger stores.
Yet no matter how much technology changes how we read books and indeed tabloid newspapers I cannot see paperbacks and hardbacks totally dying out. Whilst I accept those technological advancements, my love of paperback books will never die. As a writer, I always ensure anything I write is available in both digital and paperback versions. It is the responsibility towards writers to cater for our audience in whatever capacity they read books.
So have you ever have the opportunity to walk into small bookstore, please do so. It is a charming and delightful experience, and you will often find the hidden gem that you will not find in any other place.
