Trim business owner calls for book shops to be allowed to reopen

A Trim book shop owner is supporting Bookselling Ireland's call for book shops to reopen.

Bookselling Ireland has written to the Taoiseach to ask that bookshops be classed as ‘essential’ retail and be allowed to open, or be granted special dispensation to offer click and collect services.

Survival of the bookselling sector in Ireland very much at risk. The loss of these shops would be devastating, not only for the individuals involved but for their communities up and down the country say the association.

Antonia Daly of Antonia's Bookstore in Trim supports the call for book shops to reopen. She said:

"Many of our customers read books to help them to relax or escape the reality of what is happening. Even the HSE have listed 'read a book' as one of the things you should do to look after your mental wellbeing.

"Schools are back but children can't access school books in bookshops. The Leaving Cert students in particular need revision books and exam papers and currently can only have them delivered or posted. Children learning to read can't access books to do so.

"France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and others have all listed bookshops as essential and Scotland allowed bookshops to 'click & collect' when all non essential retail was closed.

"I appreciate that many parts of the retail sector are struggling at the moment. However, none match bookshops when it comes to supporting community engagement, mental wellbeing and cultural significance. I am committed to ensuring that I operate in a way that is COVID-safe and poses the lowest possible risk to my customers."

The bookselling industry is vital : providing a service that improves people’s mental health during difficult times, providing educational material for children including those students who will sit their Leaving Certificate exams in June, but also plays a central role supporting Ireland’s proud literary culture by showcasing books by Irish authors," according to a spokeperson for Bookselling Ireland.

"Bookshops in Ireland also directly employ over 4,000 people and support many, many, more jobs in the supply chain, all whilst contributing hugely to our local communities. A recent report by Jim Power noted the bookselling sector is estimated to pay a gross wage bill of €35.9 million – all of which is under threat if click and collect services are not allowed to resume."

The letter also highlights the inconsistencies within the current definitions of essential retail, underlining the commercial disadvantage faced by bookshops, with essential retailers that sell books being allowed to remain open, while booksellers themselves are forced to shut.

Heidi Murphy’s Chair of Bookselling Ireland, said: “Bookshops are so much more than a place to buy books – they are cultural hubs that play a unique role in supporting Irish writers, bringing life to our towns and giving readers windows into different worlds when we need it the most. Bookshops have been designated as ‘essential’ in many other European countries and, if we want to continue our great literary tradition, Ireland must surely follow suit.”