Save the Marchmont Bookshop - Proposed demolition of much-loved bookshop

A PROPERTY developer wants to demolish the much-loved Marchmont Bookshop on Burton Street near Euston and replace it with a luxury townhouse.
This will damage the character of Bloomsbury. I urge readers to protest against this plan (to elaine.quigley @camden.gov.uk).
Ten years ago there were 20 bookshops selling secondhand or rare books in Bloomsbury, the same number that were trading 50 years ago.
But a dozen have now closed. If Marchmont Bookshop shuts, there will only be seven left.
Some say there is no arguing with market forces. But Camden Council has rightly promised to protect local shops, especially those important to local character.
Quirky, local bookshops help to attract tourists. In its Love Camden guide, the council states: “At the cultural heart of London lies Bloomsbury… almost every turn leads you to a different museum, book store or university.”
This will no longer be the case if affordable spaces for independent retailers are not protected.
Lee Baker,
Regent Square, WC1