Newham Bookshop, an independent bookshop on Barking Road in East London, could be forced to close after 48 years of operation following a demand from Newham council for a 32 per cent rent increase, with £20,000 due immediately as a backdated payment covering the last three years. The not-for-profit shop, which has been a community staple since 1978, says it cannot afford the hike, and its long-time face, Vivian Archer, warns that closure would be 'disastrous' for the local community.
Rent Increase Threatens 48-Year-Old Institution
The bookshop, run by a small staff and keeping running costs minimal, has been informed of the rent increase by the council. Vivian Archer, 78, who has worked at the shop for 40 years, told MyLondon: "The estate agent, with the support of the council, seems to have decided this increase needs to be done. It would be a huge mistake if we had to leave. There are so many empty buildings around here already, and if we left, it would be the same here. It's a tough time for small businesses; people have less money. It would be a disaster. We can't afford what they have asked for."
Archer emphasized the shop's community roots: "It's always been local people who have run this bookshop, started by a group of parents who all put in £5. We are not-for-profit, and all the money we make goes back into the bookshop. We are for the community. We always help schools out. This increase is way too much. I've always loved working here. I've always worked here. I love talking and meeting people; I would be very upset if I had to go. We've got books for everyone. Newham is a diverse community, and we have books for that. This bookshop means a lot to the community and always goes out of our way to make it comfortable for everybody."
Community Outpouring and Petition
The news has sparked an outpouring of support. A petition, created by a member of the public without Archer's knowledge, argues that losing the bookshop would 'deprive Newham's residents of a vital cultural and community hub'. Customers have flocked to the shop to offer help, and social media pages are filled with messages, with one person describing the shop as Newham's 'jewel in the crown' and another calling its potential loss a 'massive loss'.
Alison, a customer in the store, said: "I grew up in Newham and moved away, and the bookshop has always been here. I always want to source books locally. Whenever I come in here, everybody is super friendly and helpful. Coming into a bookshop, you get to browse, and it feels like an adventure. It's really important for young people in the area to have places like this and to have a bookshop where you can have physical books, a place that is supportive of schoolchildren. I think it helps them a lot."
Council's Response and Potential Options
Mayor of Newham, Forhad Hussain, acknowledged the bookshop's importance: "Newham Bookshop is a much-loved local business and the council appreciates the important role it plays in enriching culture in this borough. The council reviews rent in accordance with the terms set out in the lease agreements with tenants for its buildings across the borough in order to achieve best value for our residents and council taxpayers. This process is ongoing and I have reached out directly to Newham Bookshop directors to discuss potential options and next steps."
The bookshop has a history of notable supporters, including author Michael Rosen and the late Benjamin Zephaniah, who regularly visited. Archer, who has worked with local schools and authors to support the community, noted the shock of the increase: "We are always so proud of how people feel so comfortable here. The fact that people took it upon themselves to start a petition shows they care. You can see people's reactions to it, and they're so angry. People are horrified. The reaction on our social media pages shows that."
