Bad books!

Published: 4 March 2010

• I write to support Gay’s the Word bookshop. Bloomsbury cannot afford to lose yet another bookshop. Camden has a clearly expressed policy of supporting bookselling in the area, but this support appears to have no substance.

Within the last five years one antiquarian bookseller who was very keen to remain in the area had to relocate to South Kensington because negotiations with Camden for a lease on a shop in this area dragged on for too long. Similarly, 63 Great Russell Street (which used to be Quinto Booksellers) has been empty for over two years despite a tenant being eager to take on the lease since Quinto left.

Why is the commercial lettings department of the council so inefficient?  Would they prefer empty buildings to reliable, community orientated lessees who are helping to maintain the distinctive nature of this area?

This makes no commercial sense at all, and I look forward to Camden renewing Gay’s the Word’s lease at an affordable rate as soon as possible.
Janet Nassau
Bloomsbury Booksellers’ Guide