{"id":579710,"date":"2025-11-19T04:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T04:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/579710\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T04:48:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T04:48:13","slug":"scottish-bookshops-warn-they-are-at-risk-of-serious-harm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/579710\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottish bookshops warn they are at risk of ‘serious harm’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n It has warned that the role they play should not be “taken for granted” and raised concerns they will be put at risk of “serious harm” without intervention to try to secure their future.\n<\/p>\n

\n Read More:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\n The Booksellers Association report recommends that bookshops receive targeted backing to help them grapple with the impact of rising running costs and allow them to put on more author events. It calls for the introduction of a new \u201cculture voucher\u201d for young adults in Scotland to encourage them to visit bookshops more.\n<\/p>\n

\n Tourism<\/a> organisations are being urged to ensure bookshops are used in campaigns and tours showcasing local culture and literary connections around the country, while the Scottish Government<\/a> is being urged to do more to ensure bookshops are factored into policies to revive town centres and high streets.\n<\/p>\n

\n Wigtown has been Scotland’s book town since 1998. (Image: Alex Eavers)\n<\/p>\n

\n The report, which has been published to coincide with the Scottish Book Trust\u2019s annual celebration of books and reading, suggests bookshops are \u201csignificant\u201d contributors to \u201cthe vitality of the nation\u2019s cultural landscape.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Earlier this week it emerged that the UK’s biggest chain, Waterstones, is planning to open up on the doorstep of Argonaut Books, one of Edinburgh<\/a>‘s leading independent shops, after snapping a prime site next to a tram stop.\n<\/p>\n

\n The report urges a \u201cmore flexible\u201d approach to funding applications from bookshops from organisations like Creative Scotland to ensure events with lesser-known authors are more viable, and suggests the country is being left behind both England and Wales.\n<\/p>\n

\n The report highlights the role played by bookshops in providing “dual roles” – as places where people can access “reliable and trusted” sources of information, as well spaces where “rational debate and competing ideas can be respectfully exchanged and developed.”\n<\/p>\n

\n However the research, which involved more than half of Scotland\u2019s bookshops, and was carried out between April and June this year, said there was a clear need for them to be \u201cbetter known, celebrated and supported\u201d.\n<\/p>\n

\n It states: \u201cThe distinct picture which emerges from this research is of the scale and reach of the cultural activities and the community engagement delivered by Scotland\u2019s bookshops.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThey are remarkable places, delivering an abundance of cultural connections and enrichment.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe nation\u2019s bookshops are vital fulcrums for connecting communities with the talents of writers, and supporting a wider creative ecosystem, not least Scottish publishers. Scotland\u2019s bookshops relate to their communities with enduring generosity and imagination, forging stronger bonds and positive connections.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n The report warns that the cultural and social contribution of bookshops \u201cshould not be taken for granted\u201d.\n<\/p>\n

\n It adds: \u201cSerious harm is risked if public policy, arts sector policy, and practices across publishing and the wider book trade fail to adequately value and support Scotland\u2019s bookshops.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe skilled delivery of cultural enrichment and community support are qualities that cannot be replicated by an algorithm or from a giant automated warehouse.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Meryl Halls, managing director of the Booksellers Association, said: \u201cAt a time when bringing communities together and celebrating national culture is more important than ever, it is vital that we support and protect those who work tirelessly in facilitating this. Scottish bookshops are unsung heroes, going above and beyond to deliver far more than selling books.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThis unprecedented and far-reaching report proves that bookshops are not just retail spaces; they are an essential part of Scotland\u2019s\u00a0 cultural fabric and deeply deserving of wider recognition, tangible support, and ongoing investment to allow them to deliver for years to come.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Marc Lambert, chief executive of the Scottish Book Trust, said: \u201cWe know that Scotland\u2019s bookshops are at the heart of our reading and writing communities, and every year, as Book Week Scotland celebrates the magic of books,\u00a0we value our bookshop partners and encourage bookshops across the country to be involved.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThis report is a welcome study of Scotland\u2019s bookshops and highlights just how vital they are in supporting authors, encouraging children\u2019s literacy, boosting an interest in Scots and Gaelic<\/a>, and acting as a cornerstone of communities.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s so important that they are given the right support to allow them to thrive and grow.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Scottish culture secretary Angus Robertson said: \u201cWe welcome the report and the insight it provides.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe Scottish Government places great importance on literature and booksellers have an important role to play in promoting that.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u00a0\u201cScotland\u2019s bookshops are also cultural and social assets for the nation.\u00a0They are also vital in connecting communities with literature, hosting events, supporting Gaelic and Scots languages and collaborating with schools and local organisations.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cWe will consider the recommendations that apply to the Scottish Government and the new data provided by the report as we continue our work to create a strong, resilient culture sector that benefits everyone, right across Scotland.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It has warned that the role they play should not be “taken for granted” and raised concerns they…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":579711,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8816],"tags":[748,1102,4884,712,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-579710","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edinburgh","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-edinburgh","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-scotland","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115574558062847520","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=579710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579710\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/579711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=579710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=579710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=579710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}