Eco Communities would buy the Bookshop on the Heath in Blackheath and keep a fantastic shop that has been open since 1949. A second hand bookshop of distinction, we would also start selling vinyl, donating profits to the community libraries. Not only that, but also we would open up for book clubs, writing groups – unbounded possibilities.
This shop is amazing and would be well missed, everyone is keen to see it stay as it is and what a great opportunity to be able to have the profits go back into the Libraries, All our community libraries are inundated with book donations, not all capable of fitting on their shelves. But from their sale great things can be done: more shelves bought & books to fill them, more events for children, senior citizens and those on the fringes of our society that visit daily.
What we'll deliver:
- we will buy the business which generated a £20000 profit last year. This comes with £75000 of Stock & £2500 of furniture
- Keep a fantastic book shop with all profits going to the community libraries.
- Put on many events promoting books, writing and story telling.
Why it's a great idea:
We are keeping a fantastic book shop open and turning it in to a benefit for the community - whats not to like? This will be a social enterprise which donates proceeds to Community Libraries. Between us we can create something engaging and vibrant - with events that will reach out to all the community.
Eco Communities CIC also does training and employability, so we would make sure we have training opportunities for local young people to give them fantastic experience to help them into work.
Events will go on every week for local people - So there will be something for everyone!
Eco Books is about reusing books that people do not want, and reusing the money created to fund communities libraries which then helps children to read and keep amazing places open.
Steps to get it done:
- Buy the business straight away, and get the shop running and selling.
There is also significant scope for developing the online presence of the bookshop, either by extending the shop's current use of abebooks.com or developing an enhanced website to handle direct online browsing and sales.
Blackheath is an area with a large number of schools, hence children's books do well and there is scope for including new children's books in the shop stock. The presence of schools may also offer scope for developing a wholesale business, something previous owners have not explored.
Current owner open to agreeing a handover/training period following purchase so as to establish familiarity with stock and customers.
