I am somewhat puzzled by the tone of the press release. I was called to a meeting to inform me that my post was being made redundant because the College’s financial position had got worse (overdraft and losses) and that, if nobody bought the bookshop, the operation would be scaled back. I have a witness to this. A few weeks later, according to the release, everything has changed and the picture is positive and bright. So what’s changed, then?

For those of us who work in the book trade, the tone of this press release is unbelievable! We booksellers know that these are the least benign trading conditions we have ever known (26 years in my case) – apparently, Sarum, under a librarian with absolutely no commercial knowledge or experience, is set to rise above the general difficulties of the trade. Truly remarkable!

Watch this space!