Borders Books

[ufkacbln]

Turns out the company that came in to save them has changed their mind and she reckoned they only have a couple of days left before they go belly up. WH Smith apparently!

I read that as WH Smith about to go!

 

[Fab Foodie]

One thing Borders in Oxford has was a coffee shop, OK only a Starbucks, but the availability of coffee in a bookshop appeals...

 

[chap]

It's CDs old Chap, same as it's MPs and ASBOs and PCs. Quite surprising for one of your articulacy.

I shall take that as a compliment, and subsequently try to live up to your expectations
And here's a reference for the rest of us: http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/

 

[chap]

Oh, I agree chap, it's just that CDs are physical items whereas mp3s are ethereal (whatever an mp3 is ). Like with the e-reader debate, some of us still like the physicallity of CDs, books etc... as for LPs! I love book shops, trawling and finding hidden gems, same with record stores. Buying from Amazon or downloading is kind of an empty experience in comparison, effective, but empty.

I'm in complete agreement, and let us celebrate that books (in tangible form) shall be with us for quite some time yet.

Now sorry, I couldn't resist, but anybody in want of a 'proper' (albeit rather pricey) bookshop should head straight to Foyles. They are generally friendly and knowledgeable (ignore the few petulant sulking 'alt.' culture workers, they still haven't gotten over their adolescence.) If they do not have something, then they will do their best to source it. Plus they have Ray's Jazz, and a bar: 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EB

They also have a store on the Southbank.

 

[NickM]

...anybody in want of a 'proper' (albeit rather pricey) bookshop should head straight to Foyles...

...where the management will not allow the workforce to organise a trade union?

 

[dellzeqq]

Foyles is a bit of a disaster - but the staff in the Philosophy section have worked out that they can order whatever takes their fancy, and, as a result, the range of books is fantastic. For anything else you're better off going to Borders...........whoops! And NickM is right - staff at Foyles are treated poorly.

I'd like to break the habit of a lifetime and commend a website, Abebooks, which links together independent bookshops. It allows you to access second hand bookstores in the US which have benefited from the (sad) closure of public libraries.

 

[NickM]

...staff at Foyles are treated poorly...

This is not exceptional. Retail staff are regarded as just an extension of the stock by most retail management. But denying them their right to have organised representation is beyond the pale

Does anybody know whether Amazon's staff have a union?

 

[rh100]

Foyles is a bit of a disaster - but the staff in the Philosophy section have worked out that they can order whatever takes their fancy, and, as a result, the range of books is fantastic. For anything else you're better off going to Borders...........whoops! And NickM is right - staff at Foyles are treated poorly.

I'd like to break the habit of a lifetime and commend a website, Abebooks, which links together independent bookshops. It allows you to access second hand bookstores in the US which have benefited from the (sad) closure of public libraries.

+1

 

[NickM]

Does anybody know whether Amazon's staff have a union?

Apparently Amazon are not keen on the idea:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/08/15/amazon_faces_tribunal_over_trade/

"In September 2001, Amazon staff in the UK were balloted on union recognition, but voted against it by a large majority."

Oh yeah?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2001/sep/11/news.tradeunions

FFS, is there anywhere you can buy books with a clear conscience these days?

 

[Fab Foodie]

FFS, is there anywhere you can buy books with a clear conscience these days?

Oxfam?

I assume libraries are ethical employers.

 

[gavintc]

If you do not educate the population to read it is hardly surprising that bookshops and printed media will suffer.