MORE CONGRATULATIONS are in order, first of all to Living Oasis, Harrow, who celebrated their first birthday on Saturday 12th March with authors, guest speakers from London School of Theology, live music and much more — all backed up with homemade, fair trade cupcakes and tea & coffee.
Sadly I couldn’t be there myself, but if you made it, please leave a comment to tell us how it went — even better if you can supply some photos!
If Living Oasis Harrow is your local Christian bookshop, please use them — because if you don’t then we’ll lose them, and there’s been far too much of that over the last month!
Living Oasis Watford find new premises
Next up, congratulations to Living Oasis, Watford, who have at last managed to find new premises to move into. It’s sad news for That Burger which closed down next to Presence on the High Street, but great news for Living Oasis and for Watford’s Christian community.
We are so grateful to God for keeping us when other shops have sadly had to close due to lack of support. We desperately need Watford Christians to support the new shop. Steve Cardell has made this move possible and we are incredibly grateful to him.
The shop will continue to trade from Queen’s Road until 15th April: keep an eye on Christian Gateway Watford for news of the opening ceremony at the new site.
For Andy Twilley and Ray George as they face tough decisions about how to generate support and allocate limited resources
For staff at STL Carlisle, many of whom are former colleagues of Living Oasis staff, as they find their way through their current consultation period with impending redundancies
For grace and wisdom for all involved as relationships are inevitably strained…
GOT NEWS? If you have news you’d like to see included in the next News Roundup, please get in touch.
Eden Commentaries Offer
3 for 2 on Commentaries at Eden
AFTER REPORTING Wesley Owen’s 25% off all commentaries last time around, I feel almost morally obliged to give Eden’s latest offer a mention too: 3 for 2 on selected commentaries; but it’s a fantastic offer in and of its own right, and if you go there and make a purchase via this link, you’ll help raise funds to support this site as well.
If you’re an independent bookseller/retailer wondering how you can possibly compete with this sort of offer, my suggestion is get together with a few other independents and form a buyers’ group: you are stronger together, weaker apart; but the only way to turn that into a reality is by actively doing something about it. Discuss…
Christian Focus enters the Blogosphere
LAUNCHED LAST MONTH and aptly named Christian Focus BookNotes, the new blog from Christian Focus is all about their books. It’s a blog worth watching:
Never a company to settle for half-measures, you’ll also find Christian Focus on facebook, twitter and, of course, YouTube. Go on, hit that facebook Like button: you know you want to!
IVP Easter Sale 2011 (pdf download)
Easter with IVP
IF THERE’S ONE THING you can always rely on in the UK Christian book trade, it’s outstanding seasonal offers from IVP, and their latest Easter offering doesn’t disappoint.
The offer runs from 1st March to 30th April 2011: take any mix of 20 or more titles from a selection of Easter bestsellers and benefit from special trade prices set to allow you to offer your customers reduced prices (ranging from £2 to £8 off) whilst still retaining a standard trade margin. Full details available from the trade section of their website: pdf download.
Living Oasis: Where is the humanity?
THIS COMMENT, left late on Thursday evening by Mrs Diane Hellyer, seems to epitomise everything that’s gone wrong with Living Oasis:
I have been associated with the Christian book trade for over fifteen years and have worked as a volunteer in five different shops in that time, most recently in Sutton Living Oasis. From what I understand of the situation, it is totally shocking how this closure has been handled by the Chairman and the Trustees. That no HR support was offered and no face to face meeting arranged, but that staff were informed of the impending closure by telephone is surely a lack of care and an undervaluing of the staff, the company’s greatest resource. It may not have been commercially viable to maintain a Christian witness in the high street, but under any circumstances the manner of the closure could, and should, have given a clear Christian witness as to the value placed upon the individual.
For the record, I have already raised similar concerns directly with both Andy Twilley and Simon Hole, Nationwide Christian Trust’s Resource Manager, and have now forwarded this comment personally to Ray George himself. As yet I have received no reply…
Also on a sad note, the demise of Newcastle Cathedral’s gift shop. I’m told that the shop had just begun to extend its range of books but alas, financial constraints win out yet again. The closure does seem, however, to have been much better handled than the recent Living Oasis closures, with public tribute paid to the shop staff and volunteers. From the Dean’s February newsletter:
There is on the other hand a great deal of sadness over the closure of the Gift Shop. I would want to pay tribute to the staff and volunteers who over the years have shown enormous commitment to this enterprise, played an important part in welcoming visitors to the Cathedral and done their level best to make it work. However the sad fact is that the Shop has been losing money for many years and Chapter felt such a situation was no longer sustainable. The move to Mosley Street certainly did nothing to revive the Shop’s fortunes but was not the cause of its demise. Chapter is not ruling out re-opening a shop in the future. The issue is what, when and where? We will keep the situation under review and assess the feasibility of any new enterprise in the light of the success of the wider development programme. In the meanwhile there will be sale of stock and any shop furnishings that can’t be used will be “mothballed” . Some souvenirs and small items will continue to be sold in the cafe. Meanwhile there will be a party to celebrate the hard work of our shop volunteers and all that the shop has done on February 18th.
St Andrew Press now with Norwich Books & Music
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: if you’ve been used to ordering St Andrew Press (Church of Scotland) titles from Marston, those days are over. St Andrew Press is now part of the Hymns Ancient & Modern stable of church publishing houses and stock needs to be ordered from Norwich Books & Music.
IN A BRIEF MESSAGE TO SUPPLIERS Ray George, Chairman of Trustees for Living Oasis and the head of Nationwide Christian Trust, has acknowledged the closure of the Aberdeen and Inverness stores and advised that Bedford, Belfast and Sutton will be closed during “the next few weeks.”
The message, dated yesterday, March 1st 2011, begins with the observation that recent trading “has not been easy” and indicates that this year got off to a bad start “with poor sales” before announcing the decision to implement closures. No mention is made of the situation with CLC in Inverness and no information is given about whether any provision, such as offering redeployment to other branches, has been made for bookshop staff.
Despite these closures, however, the message continues in an upbeat tone outlining the implementation of “Phase Two” developments beginning in Leeds and Liverpool:
We are committed wherever possible to open our Phase Two programme which is starting in Leeds and Liverpool. There are also discussions underway for implementing Phase Two in other cities around the country. Phase Two of our programme is showing sustainability and this is the right platform for us to build for the future.
The message concludes with a notice to suppliers that any goods ordered for the shops that have been closed or slated for closure “can no longer be delivered” and advises those with queries about this to contact Julie Jowett, National Sales Manager, “who will help you further.”
No further information about the nature of the “Phase Two” developments is offered and no indication of timescale is given. The message contains no request for prayer or other support, either for the organisation or for the staff of the closed/closing branches whose lives have been thrown into turmoil.
The Hopeful News: Bridge Books, Exeter, is for sale, advertised at businessesforsale.com: Christian Bookshop In Exeter For Sale. The business was launched in 2008 and was shortlisted for last year’s Christian Resources Together ‘Small Retailer of the Year’ award. I asked John Robertson, who owns the shop, about the sale. He replied:
Having reached my ‘sell by’ date (70+) we would be happy to ‘pass the baton’ to the next generation who can further develop this business and ministry. It’s always best to move on when things are going well – we’re still in growth, and would be happy to continue in a support role if that is appropriate alongside the new owner, who will need a sense of calling, vision and energy.
So, anyone out there looking for a challenge? John’s contact details may be found at www.bridgebookshop.co.uk: do give him a shout if you’re interested.
Christian Resources, Leicester, on the move
The Good News: Christian Resources, Leicester’s former SPCK Bookshop which broke free from the Brewers back in 2007 under the late Revd Peter Hebden’s leadership, is relocating to St Martin’s House in Leicester’s Cathedral Square. I invited the shop staff to tell us all about it:
Christian Resources is on the Move!
Alison pushing Janette as Christian Resources, Leicester, prepares to move!
March 1st will see us opening up our new shop in St Martin’s House next to Leicester Cathedral. This is a move that’s been long envisioned, initially by Rev Peter Hebden who managed the shop in the SPCK years and beyond, until his death in November 2009. The Diocese of Leicester, along with Peter’s widow Cynthia, have run with this vision and now it is becoming a reality.
Christian Resources exists to communicate the Christian Faith, and our aim is to supply the resources and requisites needed for ministry and mission. What better location for the shop than in St Martin’s House, a building dedicated to Hospitality, Outreach and Service.
The Christian Resources Team is Janette, Alison, Karen and Maggie. We’re all excited about the opportunities this move will provide, and look to strengthen our links with the Diocese, as well as serve Christians of all denominations throughout Leicestershire and beyond.
The Bishop Street shop will close at 12.30 on Saturday 19th February, and we open for business in our new home at 9am on Tuesday March 1st.
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; 9.30am to 4.30pm, Saturdays.
Our new address is:
St Martin’s House
7 Peacock Lane
Leicester LE1 5PZ
and our new telephone number will be 0116 2615222.
Our email address is still enquiries [AT] christianresourcesleicester.com [email address split to resist spambots - Ed] Please do come in and make yourselves known. A warm welcome will await you.
On a personal note I have to say that I’m very much looking forward to dropping in next time I’m in Leicester. St Martin’s House was once the home of the Alderman Newton’s Boys School, which I attended more years ago than I care to remember… ah, the nostalgia… (short video over on the SPCK/SSG News Blog of Pete Hobson, Project Manager, talking about the redevelopment: Good News in Leicester as Cathedral Square Relocation Plans are Confirmed).
Durham Cathedral (Book)shop downsizing?
The Odd News: Perhaps not so odd, really, given the state of the Christian marketplace these days, but somewhere between hopeful and sad, I fear. Plans are afoot to relocate the shop as part of the Cathedral’s Development Plan and the relocation will, I’m told, lead to a downsizing alongside an apparently decreased emphasis on books. It seems that this once proud theological bookshop is destined to become little more than another Cathedral gift and souvenir shop.
Needless to say this ‘development’ not only has ramifications for the staffing requirements but will also leave Durham without a Christian bookshop, let alone a theological one. Join the conversation: Durham Cathedral Bookshop: One door closes…
Updated 8.30pm, 15/02/2010
Closure reportedly expected by the end of this week, 19/02/2011.
Living Oasis, Aberdeen, closing down
The Sad News: Hot on the tail of losing the Inverness branch to CLC, Living Oasis have now removed the Aberdeen branch from their list of branch locations. I’m told that the shop officially closes at the end of this month, although it may happen much faster given the Inverness experience. The news has emerged in typical Living Oasis fashion, from other sources, Living Oasis themselves being as reticent as ever about communications…
I invited Andy Twilley to offer a statement and he has advised me that “where there is specific news to go into the public domain, be assured, I am always very happy to comment as and when appropriate” and that he “may have a comment to make…. not least on the very exciting developments which are occurring with Living Oasis.” (Andy’s ellipsis).
Well, I tried. If anyone else manages to get any more helpful information from the company, please do let me know or leave a comment. In the meantime, please pray for the staff, not only in Aberdeen and Inverness but elsewhere as they face a period of increasing uncertainty and/or excitement…
We currently have 19 sites in the UK and this will increase by a minimum of 20 sites each year.
The Nationwide Christian Trust’s aim is to provide a Christian presence on our High Streets. Our shops will be selling Christian books, coffee, giftware and provide space for community initiatives.
We are seeking to appoint a project manager preferably with experience in the retail industry. We currently have 19 sites in the UK and this will increase by a minimum of 20 sites each year. We are seeking to move most of these shops to new locations on the High Street and therefore the person selected will be co-ordinating the opening of new shops throughout the UK. This is a full time position with attractive salary and car.
Given that plans for the Croydon store have apparently been placed on hold, aiming to grow the business “by a minimum of 20 sites each year” seems a tad overambitious and begs the question of whether the ad is a casualty of Chinese Whispers: should it not rather state “We currently have 19 sites in the UK and this will increase to a minimum of 20 sites this year”?
If, on the other hand, the plan is indeed to expand operations “by a minimum of 20 sites each year” then important questions need to be asked both by anyone considering applying for the post and by the wider trade — what, for instance, is Living Oasis’ view of the wider trade? Is the plan to reach out into towns where there is not already a Christian presence on the high street — or to establish branches of Living Oasis in direct competition with existing Christian bookshops? To plant or to supplant?
Living Oasis statements both online and in print seem to suggest that many Christian bookshops already trading have simply failed by retaining “a very narrow focus … on Christian books and resources”:
Part of the Problem
Up until now, many of the struggling Christian bookshops have retained a very narrow focus, namely they have simply focussed on Christian books and resources, and hereby the predominance of customers have been Christians. This has greatly reduced their viability on the High Street because no matter how attractive the shop front, and no matter how well laid out the stock is, the fact remains, there is little reason why people would chose to go in.
There I was, wandering round Deansgate, nosing into stores which might sell gifts suitable for my friends and family, when I spotted this lovely little bookshop and café. But as you might notice from the photos (apart from the one I took of the hidden little sign that says ‘Formerly Christian World’), you would not know, as I did not, that this is in fact a religious shop. My first clue was when I flounced in and took in my surroundings. Where were the Clarkson tomes, the Barbara Windsor bios, the crime thrillers, the self-help books? They were absent, well, aside from self-help books – there were plenty of those, albeit with a Christian flavour…
… But Wesley Owen? Well, I really want to know why they don’t seem more proud of the fact that they are a Christian bookshop. Is it to draw people in? And in that case, why would they feel that their religious status would put people off? I think that’s such a shame if it is indeed the case, because what Wesley Owen reminds me of is not the darker side of religion which myself and my father experienced in our young lives, it reminds me of primary school, when faith was used as a means to teach children to treat one another equally, to explain empathy and to instigate a sense of belonging. You walk into Wesley Owen and no matter your beliefs, you don’t feel like anything is being pushed upon you or shoved down your throat…
Without doubt there are some Christian bookshops with an especially narrow focus (see the reviews posted by Mr Charmley to get a feel for the variety of Christian bookshops out there) but as a sweeping generalisation, it simply isn’t true: the vast majority of Christian bookshops aim to serve as wide a marketplace as their remit permits, and the ideas being put forward by Living Oasis such as incorporating a café or offering use of premises to local churches/parachurch organisations outside of normal opening hours are nothing new.
Last but not least, I personally remain mystified by what appears to be a contrary vision: to provide a Christian presence on the high street whilst simultaneously “de-Christianising” the shop windows. Which is it to be? Undercover evangelism or an identifiable Christian presence?
I have invited Andy Twilley to clarify and am awaiting his response…
Christian Booksellers Convention 'Large Retailer of the Year' 2009
In its heyday, before the collapse of IBS-STL this time last year, Croydon was one of Wesley Owen’s flagship stores and went on to win the 2009 Christian Booksellers Convention ‘Large Retailer of the Year’ award. Unfortunately it appears that high rental charges mitigated against either CLC or Koorong taking on the store and attempts by Living Oasis to secure the lease fell through over the summer when a rival bidder stepped in. Plans to find alternative premises have now been shelved by Living Oasis.
No official reason for shelving the Croydon plans has been given but other sources indicate that the company, like so many others, is under increasing financial pressure: donations to support Living Oasis may be made via the new website.
Introducing the site, Andy Twilley, Director of Christian Life and Ministry at Nationwide Christian Trust, the owners of Living Oasis, explained that it has been “designed to provide the flexibility of internet shopping without undermining the viability of the retailers in the high street.” Alongside online sales, the site offers an in-store reservation service, an option to check stock levels of selected items in the branches, a list of branches and an events page.
It’s all happening at Living Oasis, with Living Oasis Edinburgh gearing up for a grand reopening soon — doors open Saturday July 31st, official opening ceremony planned for September — having at long last secured a temporary lease in the former Wesley Owen premises on George Street: keep an eye on their new facebook page for updates and photos (you’ll need to update your facebook ‘likes’ if you’ve been following the old Wesley Owen Edinburgh page).
Living Oasis: The Story So Far: News Summer 2010 (pdf, 1.5mb)
The Living Oasis Summer 2010 newsletter is available for download (pdf, 1.5mb) and includes introductions to each of the stores by the staff (pp.2-3) along with an outline of plans for a new online store due to be launched “by late summer 2010″ (p.4). Living Oasis online will seek to complement rather than compete with the high street stores, offering price parity with the shops in the hope that applying five key principles — summed up under the headings Excellence, Equity, Encounter, Expertise, Engage — will be sufficient to win customer loyalty over the temptation of lower prices elsewhere. A sixth ‘E’ — Experience — will no doubt prove telling, but one can only wish Living Oasis every success in the venture.
Now some reflections from Richard Howarth of Ignite Creative, producers of the Living Oasis DVD that you may have seen.
Richard writes:
AS someone who believes Christians need to be seen if we are going to be heard in the wider community, I was gutted to hear late last year the Wesley Owen chain was going to be broken up, with the potential loss of a well-known brand across the country.
But it was not just about the name. When so many people only latch onto headlines about declining church attendances and miss the good stuff – something I’m fairly certain of after 25 years in the secular press – the Wesley Owen story seemed to offer further proof of a religion in irreversible decline.
The reality, of course, has been quite different as a number of groups have stepped up to keep shops alive, meaning there have been more good stories than bad stories to come out of this situation.
The Nationwide Christian Trust is one of those that got involved. It saw the opportunity to rescue many of those shops that went into administration and also to develop a radical, long-term vision that would give them a much bigger profile on the high street.
Its Living Oasis brand has already had plenty of exposure as shops have been reopened but the plan is to do much more and fully develop their potential for outreach. They want to relocate them, put a coffee shop rather than books in the shop window, offer children’s play areas and more, while still stocking the full range of Christian resources.
This might all sound a bit bewildering for those with an expectation of what a Christian bookshop looks like.
So to show how exciting it all could be – and to encourage support for the plans – the Trust turned to Ignite Creative, a Christian video production company based in Coventry. The two had worked together before and the Trust was certain a DVD was a great way to get its message across and get people on board.
There was a chance to glimpse the future at the Christian Resources Exhibition in May, where Living Oasis had a working shop set up in the new way. This was also Ignite’s chance to do the filming ready for the promotional DVD.
Living Oasis: DVD still featuring Andy Twilley
Rev Andy Twilley from the Nationwide Christian Trust features on it setting out the plans and there are also interviews with many of the people who came for a coffee or for a closer look, including Adrian Plass and GP Taylor.
There was a real buzz around the place and out of all this, Ignite produced two versions of the DVD.
The Trust and Living Oasis seem delighted at the outcome, describing it as, ‘a resource which was far more than just a film… something which really made an impact in a way which would connect well with our target audience’ and hundreds of copies have already been sent out.
So if, like me, you have had spirits lifted by the great things that have happened already in 2010, I think you’ll be equally impressed if you see the DVD Ignite has come up with to show what could be happening in the future on a high street near you… and you can find a version right now on the Nationwide Christian Trust website!
Living Oasis mock-up store at CRE as featured on the DVD
I presume that Woking as a franchise will be able to go back to being an Indie. But what is happening to the Crown Retailers? Does anyone know if that scheme will continue?
The good news is that Woking’s former Wesley Owen franchise has indeed rebranded as an indie— Origin Christian Books & Media — and if their facebook and twitter presence are anything to go by, they seem to be doing well (although a few more twitter followers might encourage them).
Crown Books Now Closed
As far as I’m aware, however, nothing more has been stated publicly about the Crown Books partnership: it seems to have been allowed to quietly fade away. If you go there today all you’ll find is a simple holding page with a message to say that orders placed before the end of May will be fulfilled subject to stock availability: otherwise it’s a case of watch this space and — commendably — a note saying “To purchase Christian products, please visit your local Christian retailer.”
Update, Aug 11, 2010: My thanks to STL for following up on my suggestion for a pointer to UKCBD: much appreciated.
Even better, if I may offer a suggestion, a link to the UK Christian Bookshops Directory might help those who don’t know where to find their local Christian retailer. Anyone wishing to link is very welcome to lift code for text links, buttons or banners from the UKCBD Link to Us page: please let me know if you do this — I’ll gladly reciprocate where appropriate.
So what happened the Crown Books scheme? After consultations with the scheme’s members, the new STL realised that it simply wasn’t working to the benefit of both parties: a new scheme was needed that all retailers could be a part of; and that scheme is the recently launched STL Distribution Retail Partner programme.
STL Retail Partnership Programme (pdf, 766kb)
Most Christian retailers should have received full details of the new programme: if not, you can download the brochure here (pdf, 766kb). STL describe the programme as offering:
Consolidated ordering, supply (one order, one delivery, one invoice)
Broad Promotional Programme
Regular Stock Re-fresh
Preferential trading terms
Stock Management (Synergi)
Personnel support (From the STL Distribution team)
Personally I remain unconvinced by the “one order, one delivery, one invoice” mantra: desirable as that may be, given (for example) IVP’s reluctance to sign up to a wholesale agreement with STL and the ongoing limited availability of much product beyond the more pop-level evangelical range, it still feels a long way off for me at LST.
STL tell me they’ve had an encouraging response so far. How has it been for you? Have you joined? If not, why not? Whether you wish to comment here or offer feedback to STL privately, the more feedback we can give them, the better they can fine-tune the programme to ensure that it does meet our needs. The old has gone, the new has come and we are indeed Stronger Together, Weaker Apart. My personal thanks to the team at STL for all their efforts to work with us in our ministry.
Christian Booksellers Convention 'Large Retailer of the Year' 2009
NEWS HAS EMERGED of a rival bidder challenging the lease that Living Oasis had hoped to secure on the former Wesley Owen premises on North End Road, Croydon.
Plans announced in May to reopen the shop within a matter of weeks have now been set back and it will be necessary to seek alternative premises unless the other bidder withdraws its offer.
The Croydon Churches Forum is in the process of setting up a steering group of local church leaders and business representatives to work with Living Oasis to ensure that local churches are fully engaged with the project’s development. Please pray for wisdom, patience, grace and negotiating skills for all involved, especially the branch staff as they face further uncertainty.
A message via facebook from Paul Barton and Angela Curror:
Hello to all of you, who were on the Wesley Owen facebook friends list.
Thank you so much for your all of your prayers and support — many of the obstacles have now been removed and Living Oasis Croydon really is on its way at last!
Nationwide Christian Trust have managed to secure an offer on 145-147 North End (which used to be Wesley Owen), which has been accepted and is currently in the hands of the solicitors. Please continue to pray that this will go smoothly with no further hitches.
It has been suggested that this unit will be the first Living Oasis store to fill the vision. (Details can be found at livingoasis.co.uk)
It is thought that the alterations, refitting and re-stocking the shop, including the coffee shop area, will take approximately 4-6 weeks…..as a rough estimate, from receiving the keys. Please pray for wisdom and skill for those making decisions, drawing up the plans and carrying out the necessary work.
The manager, Paul Barton, can be contacted by email at croydon AT livingoasis.co.uk — if you have any ideas for what the shop could stock, or how the shop could better serve you or your Church, please let him know.
Nationwide Christian Trust are investing a lot of money into this and would appreciate any help from local Churches who believe in their vision and have a heart for having a community base within the shop. If you wish to contribute financially to this project please do contact Paul. Thank you very much.
May God continue to bless your ministry and we look forward to meeting you in the new Living Oasis shop.
RT @hivestores: Booksellers, check this out to get your shop on the Guardian's map. Perfect opportunity for small but special... http:// ... 15 hours ago
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