Chener Books

[Sue]

nxjen Wrote:

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> That shop was always being stripped out /

> renovated, never seemed to be open for more than a

> month at a time. For a cafe, the purple doors /

> windows were not very inviting.

No, sadly it always seemed a bit amateurish, including the signage, and there was nothing to entice one in (unlike the yummy looking cakes in the window at Luca's.

[Cora]

Would love Rye Books to move in....really friendly and helpful but always a bit out of the way....

[alice]

Anyone asked at rye books yet

[Sue]

I don't suppose anybody is going to give any information until everything is finalised, whoever takes Chener over next year.

[Chief]

Rye Books should move in!

[Chief]

Rye Books should move in. A bit out of the way where they are now.

[Ruskin]

"Rye Books should move in. A bit out of the way where they are now."

I'd have thought if Rye Books moved to LL their rent would be a lot more than their present location on Upland. Bookshops' margins are pretty slim.

[Lynne]

I've heard that Rye Books is moving to North X Rd

[Ruskin]

"I've heard that Rye Books is moving to North X Rd"

That makes more sense than LL.

[Sue]

Ruskin Wrote:

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> "I've heard that Rye Books is moving to North X

> Rd"

>

> That makes more sense than LL.

Except it's nearer Chener Books, so maybe (sadly) Chener Books won't be remaining a bookshop :(

[ironjawcannon]

I'd be really sad if Chener closes. My favourite book shop. I suppose John is allowed to retire though!?

[Sue]

There is a sign in the window saying that Cheners will stay as a bookshop.

Hooray!

[NewWave]

brilliant! I love that shop.

[intexasatthe moment]

Will be sorry to see Chener books close .Hope a lovely independent book shop replaces it .

[Sue]

.

[intexasatthe moment]

Whoops ,posted twice !

[AbDabs]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

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> Will be sorry to see Chener books close .Hope a

> lovely independent book shop replaces it .

The woman who is currently managing it on behalf of the owner will be renting it from him when he retires (so she told me) so there are unlikely to be any significant changes.

[Sue]

That's a good outcome!

[micromacromonkey]

So Chener Books is OK then? I have only ever been in once, on christmas eve about 6 years ago looking for some last minute gifts. While I was browsing the person behind the till was castigating some poor soul for attempting to return a book, something along the lines of 'how dare you come in here and try to return a book on christmas eve!'. More Black Books than Chener Books. I haven't returned since.

[Sue]

micromacromonkey Wrote:

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> So Chener Books is OK then? I have only ever been

> in once, on christmas eve about 6 years ago.

So maybe your experience was somewhat atypical?

All the people in Chener Books are lovely :)

[BigED]

I've always liked them in there too. Though it hasn't been the same since they fixed the leak in the roof just inside the door.

[Sue]

:))

[civilservant]

reasons why we love(d) Chener Books

- they stocked the most amazing range of books outside of Piccadilly Waterstones

- they wrote down a record of every book they ever sold, laboriously, in long-hand

- they managed to run a bookshop with a leak in the roof - that's a bit like trying to run a fish and chip shop while managing a chip-pan fire

- and they had no patience with people trying to return books (the idea! a book is for life, unless it's from the library)

great to see that it will continue - but will John continue with it?

[Northeastview]

Staffing a shop with volunteers must be like hearding cats. I can?t even imagine how tough. Remember Wordsworth books in Camberwell? A fantastic shop, but taken advantage of by many locals. Staff were able to purchase books from the shop at cost, and everyone seemed to have covered the odd afternoon once here and there, and would still claim this discount for years and years.

[Sue]

Cheners is not staffed by volunteers!

It isn't a charity shop :))