Matt Wardman writes: This advert appeared in this week’s Bookseller. Note that you only have about a fortnight to write in. ST STEPHEN THE GREAT CHARITABLE TRUST This charity has been in the press over recent years as a result of concerns expressed over its operations. In April 2009 the Charity Commission appointed Peter Gotham … Continue reading
Posted in November 2009 …
Wesley Owen: Bids for Individual Stores Not Ruled Out
In an interview posted by the Edinburgh Evening News, David Young, General Manager of IBS-STL, has acknowledged the possibility of the Wesley Owen chain being split if buyers can be found for individual branches or groups of shops. Continue reading
Saving STL UK: Towards a sustainable business model?
Whether or not the possibility of a group buyout for IBS-STL UK will even be considered by Biblica’s Board and Trustees remains to seen. As of this posting I am still awaiting detailed financial statements from the company, without which it is somewhat difficult to even begin to prepare anything remotely resembling a firm proposal … Continue reading
STL UK Crisis: Reports roundup and further reflections (updated)
Figured a roundup of reports on / responses to the STL UK crisis might be useful. Reports marked * are largely nothing more than re-runs of the official press release with minimal or no additional comment. No doubt there are a few I’ve missed and more will emerge as the tragedy unfolds — but as I’ve said, … Continue reading
A Message of Hope from Germany: Co-operation is Possible
Can STL – Wesley Owen – Authentic Media be saved? An example from Germany shows that working together is possible, if we have the will to make it happen. Continue reading
New Ways of Being Bookshop
Matt Wardman writes: Following recent posts by Phil Groom about the crisis in the STL Distribution company on the SPCK News Site and here at the Christian Bookshops Blog, I thought I’d run a few reflections up the flagpole. I have no involvement in bookselling, apart from loving and buying books, but, like the Mouse, … Continue reading
And so it ends: STL UK puts up ‘For Sale’ sign
In a press release (full text below or pdf, 86kb) issued at lunchtime today, Biblica announced that they were finally pulling out of their UK operations and putting the division up for sale. In the press release, Keith Danby, Global CEO, is quoted saying, Given the severe financial and operational strains we have experienced, the … Continue reading
A Modest Proposal to Save STL UK
STL UK (aka Biblica UK) are in deep financial difficulties. Can they be saved? Phil Groom thinks so — if we act together… Continue reading
The Politics of Publishing
Today, I am annoyed. Annoyed from my own perspective as a retailer, but more annoyed on behalf of my customers who are being asked to pay £10 over the odds for a new book simply because of the perversity of an international rights deal between publishers. Continue reading
Ready to leave the garret? Introducing the Association of Christian Writers
I’ve known about the Association of Christian Writers (ACW) for some time, although I can’t remember where I first came across them. Was it through a flyer in magazine, or perhaps an encounter at CRE? Whatever the case, we as booksellers and the authors who write the books we sell — as well as those … Continue reading
