THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER by Victoria Cornwall

I love the film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It tells the story of  Kathleen Kelly, an independent children's bookshop owner who is trying to compete with the large bookstore along her street. Her relationship with the owner, Joe Fox, initially develops (unknowingly) via email. In their day to day life they are at loggerheads, but online their friendship and romance blossoms.

     Kathleen's shop was called The Shop Around the Corner, a production nod towards the 1940's Hollywood adaptation of the same film starring Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart. The film portrays the financial and emotional impact small bookshop owners face as they try to compete with the larger chains and supermarkets.

     Vast numbers of small independent bookshops have closed over the decades. The decline started when the Net Book Agreement (which existed from 1900 to 1997 and ensured that all books had to be sold at roughly the same price) ceased. It was hoped it would encourage competition, but in reality led to a two tier system which placed the smaller shops at a huge disadvantage. Supermarkets and larger shops, which had greater buying power, were able to buy in larger quantities and negotiate better dealer discounts, something the smaller shops were unable to do. This resulted in the larger stores being able to sell the books for very low prices and the practice continues today.

     This price cutting makes it difficult for the smaller shops to compete as do the rise of eBooks and crippling rates on the highstreet. Gradually the smaller bookshops began to leave the larger cities or were forced to close.

     Independent bookshops have had to adapt to the changing landscape around them. Many "go the extra mile" for customers that some of the bigger shops are unwilling to do. Book themed events, author signings, storytelling, breastfeeding friendly environments, coffee corners and unique decor have all been used to entice customers to step inside and browse.
   
     The more successful have identified their customer base. Many of the bookshops in Cornwall have done this. They have embraced the local talents and culture of Cornwall to cater to the tourists seeking keepsakes as a reminder of their holiday. This tactic became evident to me when I toured the independent bookshops in Cornwall and discovered that most were located in the tourist hot-spots, such as the many picturesque coastal towns.

     The idea of a tour was inspired by talking to the co-owner of Lost in Books, a wonderful independent bookshop in Lostwithiel. It was refreshing to speak to a bookshop owner who had a real passion and enthusiasm for books.

      There was only one way to tour Cornwall on a sunny summer day and that was in Ruby, the camper.

     The first stop was The Falmouth Bookseller, in Falmouth

     The second was the Edge of the World Books in Penzance.

     The third stop saw me in St.Ives at The St.Ives Bookseller.

     Fourth stop was at The Padstow Bookseller in Padstow.

     Closer to home, I just had time to pop into The Bookshop in Wadebridge.

     The tour came to a sudden halt when our brakes failed driving down a hill. Luckily we managed to avoid an accident, no thanks to me! I was too busy screaming while my husband steered our runaway camper! Ruby spent the next few days  recuperating in a VW specialist garage. She is fighting fit again and ready for the next stage in our tour, which will include Spencer Thorn of Bude, The Bookshop in Liskeard, The Bookshelf and Tearooms at Saltash and Bookends in Fowey.

     I had a great time (apart from my near-death experience) and recommend a visit to an independent bookshop.

     If you would like to find your local independent bookshop, search them out by clicking HERE

     Independent Bookshop Week is celebrated every year. It will take place 20-27th June in 2020. To find out what it is about and how to get involved, just click HERE

     Or you could take part in a tour, as I did, and visit some bookshops you may not normally come across. Find out more about a #bookshopcrawl by clicking HERE

     Support your local bookshop. Use it or lose it, before your unique little Shop Around the Corner is lost forever.

Victoria Cornwall