Topic ID 2239
What does everyone think about it closing down? Why can't a relatively affluent and middle-class town like Hertford support a bookshop?
Reply ID 30913
Many thanks Mangrovian [:)] Previous respondents please cut and paste your comments below
Reply ID 30914
Can anyone confirm why it's closing? We're assuming it's down to a loss of business (which it may well be), but given it's an independent shop it could be the owners choice to close due to retirement, relocation etc.
Reply ID 30915
Methvens is owned by Samedaybooks. They have six shops. http://www.samedaybooks.co.uk/stores.php
Reply ID 30923
Woe is me. I've loved having this quality bookshop in town but mea culpa, although I have purchased a fair no. of books in Methvens this year I've purchased more online.[:I]
Reply ID 30925
I think it has to be the online effect, being affluent most have computers and Internet access at home so we are all guilty of buying online I suspect and that hits the high street shops. same reason an Internet cafe didn't last long.
Reply ID 30927
Also, I think the University of Hertford moving from Balls Park had an effect. The science and computing section definitely contracted markedly after that. Although not as comprehensive, the book section in Smiths might partially fill the gap.
Reply ID 30928
Ironically enough, Samedaybooks, who own Methvens, is an online bookstore.
Reply ID 30930
quote:But which came first. Is Samedaybooks online presence their response to the online retailing, leading to the demise of the shops.
Originally posted by Steve
Ironically enough, Samedaybooks, who own Methvens, is an online bookstore.
Reply ID 30931
I think most people use online book retailers to buy specific books. They know what they want to buy before they switch their pc on. Having a book shop like Methvens delivers so much more. I like to walk into a book shop and browse, to pick the books up, read a synopsis or foreward, and take time for a leisurely purchase. This is something you cannot do online. And for children, to be able to spend time in the childrens section, looking at the vast selection of books, taking time to sit on the floor reading from a dozen different titles before choosing what to spend their (or your) money on. I cannot imagine that happening in Tesco or even WH Smith. I know the book shop may not be as commercially viable as an online retail operation but the buying experience is so much more pleasurable. A book shop like Methvens is a reall asset to the town.
Reply ID 30942
A real shame because if we buy books, we go to Methvens. It's great to browse around and decide what you want when you get there. I agree that the online shoppers probably know what they want before ordering. I wonder if the reason that a book shop has failed is because fewer books are bought these days and more people spend their time in front of televisions, computers and games machines rather than reading. I know I read far less than I used to.
Reply ID 30951
I wonder if they've thought of diversifying? A "Friends" style cafe/bookshop/internet cafe might work, though Serendipity might not approve.
Reply ID 30960
quote:I don't think fewer books are bought, its the way they are bought that has changed. Proper bookshops are caught between the pile it high sell it cheap bestsellers to be found in Tesco etc and the ability to find virtually any title on the internet. It is a shame that Methvens is closing, but when I look at my recent book buying habits I'm not surprised, it's really a victim of one of the ways that society is changing.
Originally posted by 2929paul
I wonder if the reason that a book shop has failed is because fewer books are bought these days and more people spend their time in front of televisions, computers and games machines rather than reading. I know I read far less than I used to.
Reply ID 30963
quote:I doubt if they would get planning permission.
Originally posted by nora batty
I wonder if they've thought of diversifying? A "Friends" style cafe/bookshop/internet cafe might work, though Serendipity might not approve.
Reply ID 30985
What a terrible disappointment! My 4 yr. old will be crushed. She and I love to browse through the children's books--and buy often. I'm afraid WHSmith's doesn't hold a candle to Methven's children's selection.
Reply ID 30988
quote:Exactly. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the children's section in the library was as enticing for children.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
What a terrible disappointment! My 4 yr. old will be crushed. She and I love to browse through the children's books--and buy often. I'm afraid WHSmith's doesn't hold a candle to Methven's children's selection.
Reply ID 30993
Your comments about the children's have been noted by a member of staff at the library! What could we do to make it more enticing! We do have a problem with it being upstairs but we do try and make it welcoming. I am saddened by Methvens closing too
Reply ID 31010
Every town should have a good book shop and Methvens is/was exactly that. I write this with a growing sense of guilt as I have often gone there to browse and add to my wish list, but seldom to buy. A big problem for me is a lack of disposable income. I moved to Hertford in the summer of 2005 only to be made redundant at Christmas (nice) with only one months redundancy payout. I was back in employment after seven weeks but at a lower income, and now at least 80% (probably more) of the joint Lemonjelly income goes on bills, rent, petrol and the weekly shop. I know a few people, and read of more from time to time in the press, who have either been made redundant or have the threat hanging over them and think that this too contributes to the closure of small and/or independent retailers. Recession on it's way?
Reply ID 31011
quote:Unlikely, with growth currently at 2.6% - ahead of government forecasts and Ernst & Young predicting 2.9% next year.
Originally posted by lemonjelly
Recession on it's way?
Reply ID 31013
quote:Phew. Thanks Steve. Nearly had a sleepless night!
Originally posted by Stevequote:Unlikely, with growth currently at 2.6% - ahead of government forecasts and Ernst & Young predicting 2.9% next year.
Originally posted by lemonjelly
Recession on it's way?
Reply ID 31023
Methvens' closing is a travesty. I do shop for specific books online and would like to concur that Methvens does have an online ordering facility that shows whether thjey have it in stock or in the warehouse. Each book you order is sent to them by individual emails (you don't do this, the computer system does) and you are notified by email when each book is put aside or delivered to the shop thus allowing a single visit for collection. Their staff have always been very helpful, the atmosphere wonderful - and not to mention very calming - and for a shop that size, the choice pleasingly varied. Methvens saved my bacon last year as I ordered a load of books on Amazon at the end of November for Xmas(because I didn't know about methvens online ordering - do they advertise this?) and was told that estimated delivery was between Christmas and new year... Cancelled the lot, panicked, phoned Methvens, told about their online site, did my ordering, got it all. I was one very, very happy customer and was destined for repeat business from that moment on. I am very sad indeed to see Methvens go.
Reply ID 31039
We are losing one of the few shops I actually use in hertford. A shame. Buying books on-line just doesn't compare to the experience of hunting through a good shop.
Reply ID 31050
this is definately a shame, it's a pretty big shop to fill too, hopefully it doesnt spell doom for that corner of the town..
Reply ID 31056
quote:The unit occupied by Methvens was previously home to a catalogue shop, Index I believe.
Originally posted by codek2
this is definately a shame, it's a pretty big shop to fill too, hopefully it doesnt spell doom for that corner of the town..
Reply ID 31060
Index was one half of it - the half that Methvens expanded into. Before that there was a curtain shop? I think? And before that the whole lot was Eastern or London Electricity Board shop.
Reply ID 31061
quote:Yes! Curtains.
Originally posted by nora batty
Index was one half of it - the half that Methvens expanded into. Before that there was a curtain shop? I think? And before that the whole lot was Eastern or London Electricity Board shop.
Reply ID 31072
quote:It's a disaster P
Originally posted by mangrovian
What does everyone think about it closing down? Why can't a relatively affluent and middle-class town like Hertford support a bookshop?
Reply ID 31084
quote:And Pollards. Before that and after the Elctricity Board, it was one of those end of line cheap bookshops.
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Yes! Curtains.
Originally posted by nora batty
Index was one half of it - the half that Methvens expanded into. Before that there was a curtain shop? I think? And before that the whole lot was Eastern or London Electricity Board shop.
Reply ID 31113
Rent on a shop that size is likely to be around £15,000. Then the council will want their share (taken as business rates) which would be about £5,000. So you have 20k in overheads even before you start thinking about all the other costs. You would need to sell one hell of a lot of books to cover that sort of outlay.
Reply ID 31114
quote:I would be surprised if the rent is £15k. The premises next to Boots Opticians that changes hands every 6 months had a £26k rent when I looked a couple of years ago.
Originally posted by Reg Varny
Rent on a shop that size is likely to be around £15,000. Then the council will want their share (taken as business rates) which would be about £5,000. So you have 20k in overheads even before you start thinking about all the other costs. You would need to sell one hell of a lot of books to cover that sort of outlay.
Reply ID 31115
quote:You'd need to be very sure of your business viability to get into a retail premise lease. The outlet next to Boot's Opticians that Ewoowar mentions is being advertised as: 737 sq ft + 783 sq ft BASEMENT, HERTFORD Town centre location close to Woolworth's and Boots Opticians, in a pedestrianised area of the Town Centre. Accommodation: Width - 16'5, Depth approx. 37'10 + ancillary accommodation comprising kitchenette, two toilets, stairs to basement. The previous occupiers should be leaving an internal electrically operated security shutter, strip lighting, laminate floor covering. There is a rear storage area and a basement with a floor to ceiling height of approximately 6'7, concrete floor, strip lighting. Terms: Assignment of a 15 year lease from late 2000, subject to five-year rent reviews at a rental of £27,500 pax Rates: 2005 RV assessment is listed as £20,500. It's been discussed before and should be no real shock I guess but it's not for the faint hearted... The David Perkins site at [url]http://www.david-perkins.co.uk/property.htm[/url] gives a bit more insight to local business properties.
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:I would be surprised if the rent is £15k. The premises next to Boots Opticians that changes hands every 6 months had a £26k rent when I looked a couple of years ago.
Originally posted by Reg Varny
Rent on a shop that size is likely to be around £15,000. Then the council will want their share (taken as business rates) which would be about £5,000. So you have 20k in overheads even before you start thinking about all the other costs. You would need to sell one hell of a lot of books to cover that sort of outlay.
Reply ID 31131
I would have thought the rent on the book shop would be a minimum of £35k. I wonder if Costa or Starbucks will show interest......
Reply ID 31134
quote:Really? What, and flout the planning regs? And risk wiping out Serendipity? No, the moral fibre of the coffee chains is toooo strong for that sort of behaviour.
Originally posted by Dude
I would have thought the rent on the book shop would be a minimum of £35k. I wonder if Costa or Starbucks will show interest......
Reply ID 31135
If you look on the valuation office web site, I believe that the rateable value of Methevan's is around the £55K.........the current "rateable multiplier" is about 0.42p per £.............
Reply ID 31364
I was in Tesco's yesterday and noticed that six of the books in their top 20 were of the "terrible childhood experience" genre. There were several chick-lit books and a Danielle Steele. They did have the new Charles Frazier (as in "Cold Mountain")in hardback, but otherwise nothing very inspiring. Oh well, I suppose there's always the Oxfam bookshop.
Reply ID 31411
I have just picked up on this thread and wanted to add a few words of support. Methvens have provided an excellent service to the local community and I'm extremely sorry to hear that it is closing. As has been previously mentioned, the staff are extremely helpful and have gone out of their way to help me with orders in the past. I do hope some of them look at this forum and if so, many thanks for all of your excellent support, we will miss you.
Reply ID 31774
If the information in following link is correct the lese has already been sold. So the unit is not likely to remain empty.
Reply ID 31775
Ahem, link?
Reply ID 31777
I didn't say when it would follow [:)] http://www.thebookseller.com/?pid=4&did=21365
Reply ID 31780
Steve is not Admin 100% of the time.
Reply ID 31872
I am saddened one of my favourite escapes from the Chavs in hertford is going... I loved to dive in, get a book or two, buy some arty cards and the staff, magnificent. If we all keep using this blooming internet thing we are going to kill off the shops.. Its such a shame, please let it not be made into either a bookie, coffee bar, hairdressers or celebrity leg waxing salon... I am going to miss my escape.... [:(]
Reply ID 31953
quote:I'm struggling to find a difference between the two?
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Exactly. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the children's section in the library was as enticing for children.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
What a terrible disappointment! My 4 yr. old will be crushed. She and I love to browse through the children's books--and buy often. I'm afraid WHSmith's doesn't hold a candle to Methven's children's selection.
Reply ID 32186
quote:I am amazed.
Originally posted by gregbquote:I'm struggling to find a difference between the two?
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Exactly. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the children's section in the library was as enticing for children.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
What a terrible disappointment! My 4 yr. old will be crushed. She and I love to browse through the children's books--and buy often. I'm afraid WHSmith's doesn't hold a candle to Methven's children's selection.
Reply ID 32192
quote:Both are themed children's rooms with books in them. No?
Originally posted by Ewoowar I am amazed.
Reply ID 32861
Is this referring to Methvens? http://uk.businessesforsale.com/uk/Successful-Profitable-Bookshop-For-Sale-1.aspx I got the impression they were closing because the shop wasn't profitable enough. I'd like to see another quality bookshop moving in.
Reply ID 32863
it does seem to match doesnt it? it says staff unaware... also the 56k rates which was also mentioned on here make it seem right. Perhaps the Ad is wildly out of date tho, and after failing to find a purchaser they're now closing? They could well be "profitable" but not profitable enough for the parent company perhaps?
Reply ID 32864
But Who are the "Major Upmarket Chains"? I would suggest that the Bookshop in Welwyn Garden City also fits this description.
Reply ID 32865
Are Methven's open 7 days?
Reply ID 32867
I don't think this advert refers to Methvens. It mentions internet sales via third party sites as being something that could possibly be developed. Methven's are a part of samedaybooks - an established internet book sales company.
Reply ID 32883
quote:Upmarket chains? Monsoon and er...well, that about it really. I agree its more likely to be Maher Books in Welwyn. They shut their Stratford upon Avon branch about 3 months ago and their web site seems to be dead too.
Originally posted by jez_p
But Who are the "Major Upmarket Chains"? I would suggest that the Bookshop in Welwyn Garden City also fits this description.
Reply ID 33011
The managing director and co-founder of Methven's was killed on Wednesday (27/12/2006) in a road accident. See http://www.samedaybooks.co.uk/