THE number of independent bookshops in regional areas has diminished alarmingly in recent years, but one local book store is fighting on.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gloucester Bookshop owner Lindy Dupree said her business was thriving despite the demise of bookstores in regional communities across the Mid North Coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands.
Mrs Dupree said in recent years book stores in Narrabri, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Raymond Terrace, Wingham and Tuncurry had all closed, while towns with multiple stores like Tamworth and Armidale now had just one bookshop.
She said the rise of book sales through the internet had certainly impacted independent book stores, as had the emergence of eReaders and appliances like the Kindle.
But she said she did not believe that meant there was no place for independent book stores.
“The really good independent bookshops can survive,” she said.
“The thing we do best is value add. We have great service and our staff are extremely knowledgeable.
“Independent bookshops usually have experienced well-read staff with a passion for literacy.”
Mrs Dupree said the bookshop had a wide client base including a Friends of Gloucester Bookshop initiative.
“We’ve got great diversity and source books from all over the world,” she said.
“We supply the schools and the library and we have a couple of hundred Friends of Gloucester Bookshop.
“And I still think people are reading. It’s evident in the popularity of teen series like Harry Potter, Twilight and the Hunger Games.”