greenleaf bookshop (bristol) shutting down!

[DaveCinzano]

just heard... not been up there in ages, but apparently they've been only sporadically open of late as they've struggled in a marketplace dominated by discount book chains and websites.

it was shut today, and most of the shelves seem to be empty, but if you have mailboxes there, they will be open tomorrow (thursday 4 august) 10am-1pm to collect mail only.

as i understand it the cooperative has been trying to sell it as a going concern, but no hard offer has been forthcoming, so they have been forced to shut down, bearing the financial brunt themselves.

it's a real shame, it's been run for 23 years as a workers' co-op and was one of the first places in bristol i ever visited. i've always really liked the personal service there, and they stocked a good range of books and magazines, and were always most helpful and swift in their ordering.

www.greenleafbookshop.co.uk

 

[Zaskar]

Shame. many of the big chains appear to have cottoned on to the market for sector the greenleaf exploited. I suppose on one hand it's good that this literature is more widely available and read but it is a shame they cannot continue to trade. A victim of thier own sucess in promoting this sector perhaps.

Over the years I have found some of the staff to be quite frosty at times.

 

[easy g]

is there anywhere else in Bristol like it?

 

[DaveCinzano]

is there anywhere else in Bristol like it?

no

 

[Top Dog]

gutter

Its finally gone the way that most other radical bookshops have in the last 10 years.

With the online market so huge makes you wonder if there'll ever be an opportunity for a high street bookstore presence outside the bullshit waterstones/borders stitch up

It would be a depressing exercise indeed to go through an old directory of radical bookstores say 15 years ago and compare them to today... dont think i'll bother

 

[easy g]

I remember the one in Nottingham closing down

 

[munkeeunit]

Does anyone have any suggestons for shops / outlets to sell tickets for national demos and other similar events?

We do need to have a place where people can go to buy tickets, as on events where we have asked people to book tickets in advance by email or phone the take up has only ever been abysmal.

I know that some people still do not appreciate the need to have a physical outlet, and continue to overstate the magic powers of email, etc, but without a physical outlet we will not sell many tickets for future events.

We have a few places which have sold tickets for us previously, like Evolution in the Galleries, run by Buddhists, so we (Bristol STW) will approach them, but we really need more suggestions.

Anyone?

 

[fat hamster]

Maybe some of the more "alternative" health food shops on this thread might want to help?

 

[WasGeri]

Shame The Full Marks bookshop closed down. Seems like there is definitely a gap in the market now for a radical/alternative bookshop.

 

[Isambard]

What a pty, I noticed they were closed when I walked past the other week.
If it hadn't of been for radical bookshops like Greanleaf when I was a wee whippersnapper I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today.

 

[butterfly child]

What a pty, I noticed they were closed when I walked past the other week.
If it hadn't of been for radical bookshops like Greanleaf when I was a wee whippersnapper I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today.

Must.. resist..

 

[munkeeunit]

Maybe some of the more "alternative" health food shops on this thread might want to help?

Thanks. I've passed on the suggestion, and it's been looked into now. I'll let everyone know once we have new outlets for demo coach tickets in case others want to approach them for help with such things too.

Now, how about somewhere to provide a permanent postal service?

I suppose ideally the Bristol Social Forum should look into picking up where Greenleaf left off regarding providing a postal service, but it's effectively on ice at the moment beyond the e-group, and will only reform if more people take up the burden of work, as I can't keep making myself ill.

But, if someone already knows somewhere which might do this that would be fantastic, even if it's just a lead, as I can get the Bristol STW peeps to follow up any suggestions for everyone else for the time being.

 

[Larry O'Hara]

Sad news--one of the few bookshops that actually pays distributors for publications. Speaking of which, has Southampton's October books shut yet--give us some good news!!

 

[bristol_citizen]

Shame it's gone. Even bigger shame that they didn't publicise their financial problems a lot earlier to seek support and help. I reckon a lot of people would have responded. Like most people, this is the first I've heard about this when it's too late.
Apparently they did get help from the local Co-operative Development Agency who advised them not to publicise their plight...
Top piece of advice.

 

[fat hamster]

An appeal from The Spark for financial help for the Greenleaf co-op members:

In July the famous Greenleaf bookshop in Bristol closed its doors for the last time. They've been battling with the ever-changing book market but finally had to stop. The co-op members will be left with a business debt of around £8,000 that they are personally liable for. Many people will know how well Greenleaf has served the Bristol community for 23 years. It was so much more than a bookshop. So in recognition of their service we are asking our readers to help them clear their debts so that they can get on with their lives.

We are asking you to send some dosh which you might have spent on "one last book". We want you to send us a cheque for a price of a book or two e.g. £10 or more. You won't actually get a book - just a good feeling. And if we get 800 readers doing it we will have raised enough. We've already put something in the pot.

The Spark is handling the appeal admin but please make out the cheque to the Avon Co-operative Development Agency who are acting as trustees. The money will only go to clear their debts.

Please send your cheque to:

"One Last Book"
The Spark
86 Colston Street
Bristol
BS1 5BB

 

[munkeeunit]

I still wish they'd let everyone know sooner. I can't understand why they didn't. The people at the local Co-operative Development Agency that Bristol-Citizen mentions are either plain stupid or suspicious. Didn't they know we'd all have rallied round with ideas and money before they went bust?

Guess not.

I feel sorry for them being saddled with that debt, and might dig in my pocket for a tenner, but I can't help but feel there's a very high degree of self inflicted damage done here, and that we are having to pay the price of that in far more ways that being asked to donate to a dead horse.

 

[munkeeunit]

Almost forgot...

I said I'd let everyone know when Bristol STW had sorted out alternative outlets for things like coach tickets to demonstrations.

If you have'nt seen it already, you will have seen the list of ticket outlets for the National Demo on Sat 24th.

I don't think any of these outlets are up for providing post box addresses, but other people and groups may want to approach them for other ticketed events. They seem friendly, so it's worth a try I reckon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tickets (£12 waged/£6 unwaged) are now available from these outlets:

Circle Books, 65 North Street, Bristol , BS3 1ES. Map:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358068&Y=171465&A=Y&Z=1
La Ruca, 89 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AS. Map:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359016&Y=174970&A=Y&Z=1
Radford Mill Farm Shop, 39 Picton Street, BS6 5PZ. Map:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359223&Y=174224&A=Y&Z=1

There is still time to buy tickets for the coaches from Bristol to the important demonstration in London on Saturday 24th. If you can't get to any of the ticket outlets over this coming weekend, then to guarantee you get a ticket either email your name, address and phone number to:

[email protected]

and we will arrange to get tickets to you, or phone 07880 556579.

 

[DaveCinzano]

update

it seems someone has taken over the greenleaf - they're continuing the mailboxes, but now it'll cost £20 per year

 

[easy g]

did anyone hear anymore about a bookstall starting in St Nick's?

 

[WasGeri]

did anyone hear anymore about a bookstall starting in St Nick's?

There's one already - maybe two (not sure if they are owned by the same person).

 

[reallyoldhippy]

I remember the one in Nottingham closing down

They (Mushroom) sold out a long time before they shut down, though. The straw that broke the camels back was sacking one of the original collective for arguing they should continue to stock Class War.

 

[easy g]

They (Mushroom) sold out a long time before they shut down, though. The straw that broke the camels back was sacking one of the original collective for arguing they should continue to stock Class War.

crikey...never knew the history (I was younger then though! )

 

[easy g]

There's one already - maybe two (not sure if they are owned by the same person).

aye but I got this email forwarded from about 6 weeks ago

>Hello. People involved with South Bristol anarchists have plans to rent a space to set up a radical bookshop in St. Nicholas Market. They are looking for volunteers to help staff the shop on a regular basis. After the demise of Greenleaf Bookshop, there is a real need for an outlet for radical / progressive political literature in central Bristol. For more information on the proposed project contact: [email protected]

 

[fat hamster]

Press release lifted from Bristol Social Forum:

Greenleaf/Puerto Moran Fundraiser - 16 December 2005

Pioneering Bristol Bookshop says farewell with a song and a dance.

Greenleaf, the progressive community bookshop is to feature in a unique
celebration Salsa Party to be held at St Werburghs Community Centre on
Friday 16th December.

For 23 years Greenleaf has been the first bookshop that springs to mind for
anyone who was looking for something different in a book. Whether it was
bilingual books for children, books that could help parents and teachers
support children with matters such as divorce, or books for women and
minority communities Greenleaf provided them long before they were readily
available in bigger chain stores in Bristol.

Greenleaf has been run as a successful co-operative, with stewardship
passing hand to hand through committed individuals. During 1980s the group
survived despite major downturns in the economy. However, long term debts
have fallen to the newest members of the co-operative and this time, things
are different: the small independent bookshop has decided it can no longer
compete with increased competition from the high street giants.

The contribution made by Greenleaf to Bristol's community has been
recognised with a series of fundraisers such as Spark magazine's 'one last
book' event. On 16th December, Salsa Workshop will be joining with book
lovers, musicians and Latin American charity organisations to create a
Latin party night that will be remembered in time to come.

Because the event is based on a Latin theme organisers have chosen to share
any proceeds between Greenleaf and the pre-school children's activity
scheme that is run by in Puerto Morazan, (Bristol's Twin Town in
Nicaragua). The charity facilitates volunteers to go to school projects in
Puerto Morazan and raise awareness of Nicaraguan educational issues.

The event will be an upbeat party atmosphere with a salsa class, music from
the locally acclaimed Spanish musical duo Encrucijada and tantalising Salsa
and Latin dance beats from DJ Beat Roots.

Melissa Warner one of the Greenleaf partners said:

"We are proud Greenleaf meant so much to so many people. Many of our
customers have said "it wasn't just going to the bookshop, it was, 'I'm
going to Greenleaf'. We really appreciate the fact that people have come
together to organise this event with us in mind"

Norma Daykin of Salsa Workshop said:

"This is a unique event highlighting local and global issues at a popular
venue in Bristol. Everyone is welcome: experienced dancers, those wanting
to try salsa for the first time or those who just want to soak in the
atmosphere and listen to the great music. It's a great way to get ready for
Christmas."

The event will be held on Friday 16 December from 8pm at St Werburghs
Community Centre. Tickets are £8/£6 (concessions) for advance
purchase and £10/ £8 (concessions) on the door. Tickets are available from
St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, Bristol (0117 955 1351) and La
Ruca café at 89 Gloucester Road (0117 944 6810). A café will be provided on
the night by La Ruca. Office parties are welcome.

Further information about the event is available on 0778 606 3634.

 

[WasGeri]

aye but I got this email forwarded from about 6 weeks ago

Ah right. That would be cool, if it got off the ground. Can any of the South Bristol Anarchists on this board update us?

 

[bristol_citizen]

Ah right. That would be cool, if it got off the ground. Can any of the South Bristol Anarchists on this board update us?

First I've heard of this. I think it might be someone thinking out loud rather than a definite plan.

Originally Posted by easy g
did anyone hear anymore about a bookstall starting in St Nick's?

There's one already - maybe two (not sure if they are owned by the same person)

.
There's Annie Coggins' excellent stall for local books in The Exchange Hall and a seperate, general, second-hand bookshop out the back in the Covered Market.