SOUTH WOODFORD: Campaign to save bookshop makes national press (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

SOUTH WOODFORD: Campaign to save bookshop makes national press

11:35am Monday 18th January 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A CAMPAIGN to save a South Woodford bookshop from closure has received a boost after appearing in an article in a national newspaper.

The fight to keep Wesley Owen Books and Music, in South Woodford High Road, from closing down after the Christian chain went into administration was mentioned in Saturday's Times.

The store, which has branches around the UK, was faced with closure after IBS STL, the charity which runs it, was forced to sell it off.

Staff have been told they will have to cease trading once stock runs out, with as little as 24 hours notice.

The news comes as other booksellers, both secular and Christian, face tough times with the boom of online sellers such as Amazon.

A total of about £65,000 is needed to get the South Woodford shop up and running independently and charity Nationwide Christian Trust has also expressed an interest.

Rev Steve Clarke, of All Saints and St Andrew's Church in Woodford Wells, launched the campaign from the pulpit and said Wesley Owen was “more than just a bookshop”.

He said: “I believe that the shop has an importance in pastoral care and a Christian focus in the community.

“It's a 'church in the high street' – it's what authentic Christianity should be about.”

Churchgoers and customers in the area began making pledges running into thousands of pounds to help keep the shop alive but more is still required, manager Dominic Stinchcombe has said.

He said: "We put the Times article in the window. Someone saw it and walked straight in and made another pledge."

The total raised so far is now about £36,000.

To make a donation, contact the shop on 8530 4244