Ten jobs to go as bookshop gives way to new occupant
TEN jobs will be lost when one of Torquay's biggest town centre stores closes next month.
Staff at the Waterstone's bookshop in Union Street are in a 30-day consultation period with the company after being told last week that the outlet would close on August 14, with HMV moving into the 7,500sq ft retail space immediately.
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Waterstone's has been on the site since 2004, providing a wide range of books and a Costa Coffee shop.
The Torquay store annually supplies the Ways With Words literary festival at Dartington with books.
It is not known whether this will continue, although it has been suggested that the Newton Abbot Waterstone's will take over the role.
No one from Waterstone's was able to comment on the closure, although a spokesman confirmed that staff had been spoken to.
HMV, part of the same company as Waterstone's, is expected to undertake a massive refit at the store, costing more than £100,000.
Lucy Ball, Torbay Town Centres Company chief executive, said: "It's a great shame that we're losing the name of Waterstone's from our high street.
"But at least HMV will have a more prominent home, which they've wanted for a long time.
"It would have been tragic if a store that size was left empty, so it's swings and roundabouts really.
"It would be good if Costa Coffee is retained at the site, because its another big high street name, but we will have to wait and see on that one."
Matthew Clarke, who owns the independent Torbay Bookshop in Paignton, said national literature outlets were finding it hard to compete with internet sites such as Amazon.
He said: "It's different for independent bookshops, many of which are seeing their sales go up. But we're all having to work hard to stay in business.
"It's devastating news for the Waterstone's staff, who are specialised in their field."
Author David Lawrence Jones, who launched his debut novel The Amazing Adventures of Bradley Baker at the Torquay outlet last year, said: "We are losing a great book store and, although WHSmith will supply Torquay, it is very sad to lose a very dedicated group of people who know and care about books and their readers.
"Highlighting the closure won't overturn the decision, but it will demonstrate what the store staff have done for the community."
21 Comments
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by Biffo, Paignton Zoo
Thursday, July 29 2010, 12:40AM
“Told you lot months ago that this would happen, you just took the mick. They will not spend £100,000 on a refit, that is pie in the sky.
The rent is cheap for the shop that is due to it being in the wrong position.
HMV fail often just as WH Smith has done recently, 100th worst shop on the high street.
What is the next shop to go? Any guesses.
As for writing to the Boss of HMV that has to be one of the biggest jokes going.
As for Henry Blince reading a book...that in itself is a joke.”
by Mrs Dixon's Husband, Paignton
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 9:28PM
“"i had this dream the other day i had opened a fast food chain in paignton named titled "mashed potatoes" "
Well Mark, do you remember 'Spud u Like' shops? I wonder what happened to them?
...and Commenting for the sake of it of Paignton.
I only ever enter Wetherspoons to drag away my alcoholic wife, to take here home for a night of debauchery! Not bad for two 80 years olds!”
by mum, n/a
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 7:21PM
“youll all have to come to newton we've got one”
by Derrick, Torbay
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 4:17PM
“Maybe if Waterstones reduced the exorbitant prices it charges for books more people would have visited, it is clear that HMV has a higher turnover and profit and would therefore exploit the larger shop size more efficiently.
unfortunately although some people here may wish for a return to days of yore where you could buy the new famous five book, 3 liquorice laces and a pack of wood bines and still have thru¿ pence change, companies these days need to make this thing called a PROFIT hence when markets such as that for books drop dramatically due to cheaper alternatives, they discontinue the loss making brand: i.e. Waterstones.
When looking at net profit/ annum do you really think the CEO of the HMV group is going to say gadzoocks I have had 20 letters from patrons Torquay we must not close there Waterstones even though it going to save me x million/annum ¿ GET A GRIP”
by Philip, Torquay
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 8:10AM
“This is truly sad, and it is probably true that it is a sign of the times. Would the company be prepared to disclose just how much they have to pay in rent and business rates for this site? That would give the public the chance to see just how much firms like this are hobbled by having enormous overheads to pay before any customer even sets foot in the store. Our retail facilities will go on declining unless commercial landlords can be persuaded to moderate their demands, and governments begin to see that business rates are a big price to pay for declining high street shop numbers.”