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'We protest against Borders’ closure' (From Swindon Advertiser)
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'We protest against Borders’ closure'
8:10am Sunday 26th July 2009
CAMPAIGNERS against the closure of Borders bookshop will make their feelings known at a protest.
They will gather outside at 2pm tomorrow on the steps by the library near to the bookstore in the Orbital shopping centre for a peaceful expression of their loyalty to the facility in the hope that they can reverse the decision.
The North Swindon store, which sponsored the Swindon Festival of Literature, confirmed it was selling the lease on July 12 and is expected to move out of town next month.
An online petition objecting to the North Swindon store’s closure has already been set up and, as of yesterday, had 1,913 signatures.
There are also 200 members on a Facebook page set up to protest at the closure. They are inviting people to come along, bring a book and even dress up as their favourite literary character.
Peter Dilly, campaign organiser and a former bookseller at Borders who resigned after hearing about the closure, said: “The strength of public feeling has been outstanding.
“Members of the Swindon community are outraged by the planned closure and have emphasised with passion the importance that Borders has in our town.
Borders in Swindon is so much more than just a bookstore. It’s a meeting place of likeminded – and diversely minded – people who are united by their thirst for literature, knowledge and culture. It’s inspiring our children to engage in reading and to broaden their horizons. It’s an integral part of our community.
“The fight to save Swindon Borders is far from over. We are urging Borders and New Look to reconsider their contractual positions. We are appealing to investors to recognise what a valuable resource.”
Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott), described the protest as “a peaceful, non-political expression of our commitment t the cause.
He added: “We need people to come and bring their favourite book, take a seat on the steps by the library and show their loyalty for Swindon Borders.
“This could be Swindon's last Great Book Event, so why not come dressed a character from a book – or just bring yourself and your favourite book – and enjoy it.
“Our aim is to generate enough public interest and media attention that the parties involved reconsider the decisions they have made and maybe, together, we can save Swindon Borders.”
For more information on the campaign see www.saveswindonborders.org.uk.
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Your Say YourSwindon
Robh, Swindon says...
10:36am Sun 26 Jul 09
PaulD, Swindon says...
11:00am Sun 26 Jul 09
Borders in Swindon is so much more than just a bookstore. It’s a meeting place of likeminded – and diversely minded – people who are united by their thirst for literature, knowledge and culture. It’s inspiring our children to engage in reading and to broaden their horizons. It’s an integral part of our community.
"
Isn't that a library? Isn't there one right next door?
Borders is no more than a business. A failing business that can't afford to keep one of it's shops open. Perhaps if these 'likeminded people' actually bought more books from there instead of having their community meetings instead then maybe Border would not have had to closed.
bilzinusa, Swindon says...
11:00am Sun 26 Jul 09
oh ..not forgetting the coffee ! just where are the poor dears going to gather for their caffeine hit now I wonder ?
'ere do' make I larf
RFM, Swindon says...
11:05am Sun 26 Jul 09
As for it being a meeting place - yes it was, for gangs of mothers/bored housewives with hordes of children taking over Starbucks.
The people with their pretentious comments about broadening horizons and expanding children's minds seem to have forgotten that there is a perfectly good library a mere 30 paces away from Borders!
billie-boy, Swindon says...
12:10pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Dirty Barry, swindon says...
12:40pm Sun 26 Jul 09
I Too, Swindon says...
1:08pm Sun 26 Jul 09
bilzinusa, Swindon says...
2:27pm Sun 26 Jul 09
I Too wrote:Got his/her address on the continent have you ??
Well!....I'm going to write to my MP
Wonder if foreign holidays come under the heading " essential to their continued ability to carry out their "Parliamentary Duties" to the full ?
The majority of commentators may have forgotten the expenses debacle a couple of months ago,but the information I am still receiving via the FOI Act2000 never ceases to amaze me. The sheer chutzpah of these "public servants is beyond belief.
'ere...don' make I larf
silvergran, Swindon says...
2:27pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Go to the library if you want to find super books - and it's FREE!
Mr Blackwell, Swindon says...
4:21pm Sun 26 Jul 09
yeti, swindon says...
4:52pm Sun 26 Jul 09
saddos get a grip for christs sake.
i might go and pelt the buffoons with eggs
bilzinusa, Swindon says...
5:12pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Let's face it ...if a coffee and snacky poos are what is needed whilst you browse, try a thermos n sarnies....gotta be cheaper than "Rip off R us"
'ere...don' make I larf
itsamess, swindon says...
7:57pm Sun 26 Jul 09
yeti, swindon says...
8:08pm Sun 26 Jul 09
itsamess wrote:another shop will replace it.
The point being when Borders closes what will replace it--and with this Councils dislike of supporting libraries--how long before that closes--and indeed how long before the orbital follows the same route as the town centre?
and we have a brand spanking new library in town.
itsamess, swindon says...
9:28pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Ah yes just pop onto the park and ride to loan your book from the library in town then if you live in north swindon that is!! Or find a cheap place to park while you select your book!! The point being we did have good shops in the town once until slowly they moved away and the same can happen at the orbital if a balanced variety of shops is not mantained. The Council has closed or reduced library services--so if the library on orbital goes too--what next? Do think of others--not just negative thoughts.
yeti, swindon says...
10:11pm Sun 26 Jul 09
itsamess wrote:the library at orbital wont close.just like the one at the link centre, and the one in town wont.
yeti Ah yes just pop onto the park and ride to loan your book from the library in town then if you live in north swindon that is!! Or find a cheap place to park while you select your book!! The point being we did have good shops in the town once until slowly they moved away and the same can happen at the orbital if a balanced variety of shops is not mantained. The Council has closed or reduced library services--so if the library on orbital goes too--what next? Do think of others--not just negative thoughts.
you could catch a bus,drive,cycle,taxi or walk to town to get a book for free from the library.you could take the most expensive option of travel and still save on what a book will cost to buy from borders.
it's survival of the fittest where shops are concerned.borders is too dear,end of!
Phantom Poster, Swindon says...
10:32pm Sun 26 Jul 09
I actually drove into Swindon town centre today and paid parking in order to buy a couple of book from Waterstones. I'm sure that if you factor in parking fees then it was more expensive that Borders!
It just shows what a "chav" town Swindon has become when it can't support more than one major bookshop!
Dakota82, Swindon says...
9:01am Mon 27 Jul 09
Borders as a whole company have not been doing so great so they have chosen to sell there 5 best selling stores..... rather than their poor performing stores.
So for that reason i think its a crap business decision
Nostim, Swindon says...
10:19am Mon 27 Jul 09
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Captain Sensible, Nowhere says...
8:32am Sun 26 Jul 09