Government urged to help literary industry or face bookstore closures

THE new government has been urged to help Ireland’s literary industry survive by removing barriers to sales in the business — or face the prospect of mass bookstore closures.

Speaking on World Book Day yesterday, the Irish Booksellers Association (IBA) said unless a genuine attempt is made by the Fine Gael-led administration, Waterstones will not be the last big name forced to close its doors.

As part of a “five point plan” for the sector, the IBA has called for stores to “simplify dealings with government,” remove red tape and address “crippling” legacy leases and “unrealistic” rent reviews.

It has also urged the new government to “reduce the overall cost base of doing business” and to “do all of the above with speed and efficiency”.

“The compound effect of the continuing recession is that retailers are suffering a decline in sales and de facto profits for the third or fourth year in a row,” explained Work Book Day spokesperson John McNamee.

“Many stores have already gone under.

“Given the right climate, the book industry can re-energise itself and create more employment. Our country would suffer a severe educational deficit without the expertise and care booksellers bring to the community,” he added.

The call came almost a month after one the biggest players Waterstones was forced to close its Dublin stores due to the economic climate.

The annual event, which was launched in 1997, is the biggest celebration of reading in Ireland.

It is inspired by the tradition in Catalonia for people to celebrate St George’s Day by giving a book and a rose to a loved one.

During its 14-year lifetime, the Irish event has distributed more than €24 million worth of €1.50 book tokens to schools across the country in an attempt to encourage a love of literature.

Launching the event this year was the wife of Irish rugby star Brian O’Driscoll, actress and author Amy Huberman, who urged government to act immediately to ensure the survival of the book industry.

“Encouraging children to read is one of the most powerful gifts that we can give them. Once you can read, you realise that anything is possible,” she said.

* World Book Day tokens can be redeemed until March 27 at participating book stores. Further information is available at www.worldbookday.com.