A coalition of prominent British authors has appealed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to implement tax relief for independent bookshops, drawing a parallel to the support recently extended to pubs and live music venues.
Authors including Sir Philip Pullman, the fantasy writer behind "His Dark Materials," and children's laureate Patrice Lawrence are among those advocating for independent bookstores to receive a business rates discount similar to the 20 percent reduction granted to pubs and bars. This initiative comes amid warnings from over 200 independent booksellers that escalating tax bills could lead to widespread closures and worsen a decline in youth reading habits.
"In the current encircling corporate darkness, independent booksellers are lighthouses," Sir Philip Pullman stated in support of the campaign. "They are almost the last beacons shining to remind us about private reading, personal discovery, and the life-saving joy of encountering minds and hearts that speak to us as one person to another. They deserve every kind of legal and financial protection a good government would give them."
Other notable authors supporting the cause include Adam Kay, author of "This Is Going To Hurt," Maggie O'Farrell, known for "Hamnet," and Florence Knapp, writer of "The Names."
In a letter addressed to Burnham and Healey, booksellers argued that their establishments contribute significantly to their local communities, warranting comparable government support. The letter highlighted that "92 percent of bookshops run community events that support literacy and bring people together." They also emphasized the role of bookshops in championing authors and publishers, hosting educational visits, and contributing to vibrant high streets.
Prime Minister Burnham has previously indicated a willingness to address business rates, fueling hopes for further action before the Chancellor's upcoming budget on October 28. However, some businesses remain apprehensive after experiencing increased rates following promises of assistance before the previous year's budget.
Approximately 400 independent bookshops in England and Wales are projected to face an average annual increase of £4,563 in their rates bills by 2030. Unlike some other retailers, bookshops generally adhere to the recommended retail prices printed on books, limiting their ability to absorb rising costs by increasing prices. Authors and shopkeepers have expressed frustration with the Treasury's assertions of having supported the retail sector through business rates adjustments, urging for explicit support for bookstores.
The authors contend that bookshops are vital in combating a "reading crisis," noting that reading for pleasure among 8-to-18-year-olds has reached its lowest point since records began in 2005. The Booksellers Association, which organized the letter, warned that the government's promotion of reading could be undermined by policies that disincentivize investment in bookshops and potentially lead to their closure.
Supporters of the tax relief argue that a targeted discount would represent "good value for money," with a "modest" cost to the Treasury yielding significant benefits for shops. "A few thousand pounds can determine whether a shop employs another bookseller, runs community events, supports local schools, invests in stock or remains open at all," the letter stated.