Decline in independent bookshops continues with 73 closures in 2012

The UK loses 7% of its remaining independent bookshops in the past year, with the total down a third since 2005

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Shelf life … an independent bookshop.
Shelf life … an independent bookshop. Photograph: Rob Whitworth/Alamy

Another 73 independent booksellers shut up shop in 2012 – more than one casualty for every week of the year – bringing the number left in the UK down to just 1,028.

Much-loved community stores including Langton's Bookshop in Twickenham, which had been in business for more than half a century, Walkers Bookshop in Sleaford and Baytree Books of Waterlooville all closed down last year, said the Booksellers Association, which is calling for the government and the publishing industry to "act urgently" to improve conditions for booksellers on the high street. Other victims include Farthing Books in Coulsdon and a number of independent Christian booksellers.

This is the seventh year running in which the number of independent booksellers in the UK has fallen. The UK boasted 1,535 independent bookstores in 2005, a third of which have now closed as booksellers struggle with the pressures of recession and competition from Amazon and the supermarkets.

"Closures are always painful and we were saddened to see many bookshops closing last year. The balance of risk in bookselling has changed for good and now sits disproportionately with the bookseller," said Tim Godfray, chief executive of the Booksellers Association. "Bookshops are important community and cultural hubs, which also provide an important educational resource for all. Sadly, the overall picture in terms of the number of independent booksellers in the UK is still one of contraction."

The Booksellers Association, which represents over 95% of UK booksellers, did provide a ray of light amid the gloom: 39 bookshops opened last year. Children's bookshops are also "bucking the trend" of decline, according to the association, with no reported closures in 2012 and the opening of two new shops. Brentwood's Chicken and Frog and Crouch End's Pickled Pepper are both "breathing new life into their high streets", said the organisation. "New and emerging booksellers ... are kicking down barriers and fighting back," said Godfray.

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