‘Owl will fly on’ vow after bookshop sold

Published: 27 May 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

HE started the popular independent bookshop in Kentish Town 16 years ago, but now the 400-mile commute to work has started to take its toll on founder Kevin Ramage.

Mr Ramage, who has run the Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town Road  since it opened in 1994, has sold the business to manage another of his shops in Aberfeldy in Scotland, where he now lives.

But the former owner is confident his “baby” is in safe hands, as he has sold the business to fellow independent bookseller James Daunt, who runs celebrated shops in Belsize Park and Hampstead.

And Mr Daunt has spoken to reassure customers he has no plans to re-brand the shop, which will also retain all members of staff.

“If something is working then there’s no need to change it,” he said. “Our shops run rather autonomously in any case so it never really occurred to me to re-brand it.  

“Inevitably they will do some things differently to us – hopefully we can learn from each 

other. Obviously being part of a slightly larger chain brings a few more resources, but there will be no significant changes.”

The move comes shortly after two other independent shops in Kentish Town announced they were closing their doors, citing rising rents as the cause. 

Bradley’s Curtain and Linen Shop in Kentish Town Road will close down next month after 42 years, and Ace Sports, which has been a feature of the high street for than 60 years will move to a smaller premises in Fortess Road.

But Mr Daunt said he was confident the Owl Bookshop has a bright future. “You have to be doing a pretty good job as an independent bookshop to stay in business, but those that are doing a good job will prosper,” he said. 

“I hope the shop over time will do a lot better, but I hope all my shops will do better.”

Speaking from his home in Scotland, Mr Ramage, who also owns the Grove Bookshop in Ilkley, Yorkshire, said highlights included working with a “fantastic team of people”, serving “great customers” and meeting guest speakers such as Margaret Atwood, Tony Benn and Michael Palin.

“It’s James’s baby now and I’m confident it’s in a safe pair of hands – the owl will fly on,” he added. 

As well as branches in Hampstead and Belsize Park, Daunt also has shops in Marylebone, Holland Park and Chelsea.