‘Bookshop of the future’ one step closer to realisation
Whilst it might be interesting to speculate on what a bookshop of the future may look like for its own sake. It is an even more interesting thing to consider in the context of what the small town high street might look like in the future. I would argue that the two things are inextricably linked. Increasingly things you can buy on line are failing where they are for sale in shops and leaving gaps like missing teeth on our high streets. This article tells us:
“The ideas that emerged throughout the sessions encompassed everything from “bibliotherapy”, personal shopping, physical membership clubs, writers in residence, listening ports for audio books, moveable book shelves and a whole range of products and services including wedding gift lists, suggesting that future bookshops will be very much a social experience. The possibility of performances, art installations, gigs and exhibitions was also discussed.”
Now it seems to me that most people cant get a personal service as easily or with as much fulfillment as the real thing virtually – hardressing, a coffee etc come to mind. Putting the sort of services indicated above into the challenging environment of a bookshop might well give it a fighting chance. They may also create interesting lateral thoughts for other purveyors of challenged items. I would love to see more record shops personally, stocking vinyl, but that’s probably just a sign of my age!