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Macmillan to close Pan Bookshop

14.11.07 Graeme Neill

The Pan Bookshop in west London is to close in January after 32 years of trading. Parent Macmillan blamed "tough market conditions, a decline in the overall trading of independent bookshops combined with an expensive high street location in Chelsea" for the closure.

The publisher said that it is in discussion with a potential new tenant for the property in Fulham Road. It has not yet reached final agreement with the prospective tenant but it has started to examine other positions for the shop's staff. There are 9 core members of staff, including manager Julian Rafot, and a further 8 who have worked very irregular part-time hours.

David Macmillan, who was responsible for the shop, said: "It is a very sad day for us all after so many years trading, and serving the local community, but I'm afraid the difficult trading conditions we are all experiencing, have made it impossible for the shop to continue. We just haven't had the margins to enable us to compete in our high street location."

He added: "The team at the Pan Bookshop have been wonderful. I’d like to extend my thanks to all of them for the hard work and commitment they have contributed to the business, and to wish them well for the future."

Retail Todays Picks Macmillan Graeme Neill Independents Pan Bookshop

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By Em

Oh, that's so sad. What bleak news.

14 Nov 07 11:30

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By Pauline Rowson

What a shame. I bet the high rents are the crippling factor. I am sure that many people are going to miss them.

14 Nov 07 11:51

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By Clive Keeble

Totally flabbergasted at this devastating news. Please will someone get the message across that many independent booksellers are thriving and prospering : time for Julian to arrange a management buyout of the shop. The potential is enormous, even allowing for predatory competition from other outlets : high rents, and rates have to be overcome just like boils on one's bum.

14 Nov 07 12:51

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By Nick B

A sad loss - friendly, enthusiastic staff who knew their books made visiting the shop & buying from their hand-picked range a pleasure over many years. I agree with a previous comment - investors/backers may well see the potential of an upmarket bookshop continuing on this site.

14 Nov 07 13:08

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By Iain Cheyne

Very sad. I hope they can relocate somewhere cheaper.

15 Nov 07 22:09

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By Michael Stonehouse

The world is fast becoming a cultureless place, where the mega-bookstores are filled with the PR driven trash produced by the D-list so called 'celebrity'. It is very sad that the wonderful Pan Bookshop has closed. It was the only place I know that attracted the best authors for book signings and I had hoped that one day, when I got my books published, I would do the same. It should not all be about making big profits, we should save a bit of space and time for keeping our humanity alive. A sad day indeed and an opportunity lost by the owners.

04 May 08 14:13

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