Forum Topic

Childrens Bookshop wanted

Devastated to hear that the Lion and Unicorn children's bookshop in Richmond is the latest, brilliant independent bookshop to be forced to close after 31 years due to outrageous rent hikes. Surely thats the perfect addition to Churchfield Rd now. Campaign starts today!

Charlie Mawer ● 4812d7 Comments

There's a great one in Pitshanger Lane......or there was a few weeks ago......

Ellie Rose ● 4812d

I suspect the problem is less abut rents and http://youtu.be/unkIVvjZc9Ymore about all of us who use Amazon. A friend who works in an independent book store in West London says that while nice Middle class people want champagne service, they can alwayxbf found buying things a quid cheaper online and a supermarkets.

David Fawcett ● 4812d

I agree - a bookshop is just not practical in an internet age - and we lost the red & green bookshop a good 20 years ago: things are much tougher now. Which is why beauty/hair shops do so well and restaurants/coffee shops. You can't do those things online!

Sara Nathan ● 4812d

The owners of the Lion and the Unicorn have said  that their problem is an upwards rent review - trading has been good.  It is such a specialist shop which amazing staff who have read just about every book in there that it is a destination for families from all over West London.  It wasn't a very big shop and it was always busy.You could go in, give a description of a child and they would recommend a book and always get it right.  A very popular birthday gift amongst the 8 - 10 year olds in this area is a trip to the Lion and the Unicorn to choose a book.I agree that general book shops are a model under threat but also feel that small specialist bookshop that could become a destination could be a big asset to Churchfield Road.

Anna John ● 4811d

And a perfect business opportunity for people targeting the children's market.The road is about to be surrounded by up to THREE primary schools full of avid childrens book readers.Derwentwater Primary School, the newly opened ARK and possibly at some stage (?)  one down the side of Acton Central overlooking the park.

Richard Grange ● 4811d

Richard, Is a new school down the side of Acton central in the pipeline or just an idea of yours. I think it would be a great use of that space or we could put the Children's book shop there! Lots of families on foot traffic!

Kim Rugg ● 4811d

There's also East Acton primary of course - next to the Park Club - and that has a new building and more children. Plus Maples nursery.Plus Twyford, the Japanese, the Saudi and the Barbara Speake all within an easy walk and Acton High not so far.And the rents aren't wholly impossible.Still a struggle - unless real experts like the existing shop-keepers in Richmond want to re-locate - only a few stops on the Overground!

Sara Nathan ● 4811d