Fond memories but bookshop is closing

Wednesday 14th July 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Jerz Jurkiewicz. THE island’s only independent standalone bookshop is to close in less than two weeks.

Jerz Jurkiewicz, proprietor of The Bookshop on the Bridge, has announced that his five-year lease on the shop is coming to an end, and he does not intend to renew it.

‘I just didn’t see myself doing this for another five years,’ said Mr Jurkiewicz (pictured).

The shop’s last day of business will be Saturday 24 July.

‘I don’t know if Guernsey is the place for a small retail business – the States seem to be more interested in bigger businesses,’ he said.

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1
anna woodward

July 14, 2010 at 7:46 pm

This is so sad. What a shame it is that a small book shop isn’t given enough support from the island.

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2
Paul Le Page

July 15, 2010 at 9:49 am

Anna Woodward – it’s easy to criticise the people of Guernsey but who wouldn’t buy cheaper if they could – especially in uncertain economic times? Fair enough one could argue that it’s “use it or lose it” but one of the rules of consumer business is that it’s the responsibility of the business to attract customers, not the responsibility of the customer to prop up the business.

It’s sad for Mr Jurkiewicz but I think his thinly veiled criticism against the States is unfounded. A more likely explanation is that the retail sector has changed dramatically and increasing competition from online stores like Amazon (who have huge buying power, massive stocks and don’t require you to leave home to shop) are more likely the cause of falling business in small local bookshops than the States interest in big business.

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