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Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Anon (14th Jul 2022 - 08:10:50) Good morning everyone, hope you are well. I just have a question for everyone concerning facilities available in Liphook (I have been living here since about 2007), why does Liphook not have a bookshop? I think it's odd due to most villages/towns having one whether it's a Waterstones or an independent book shop. it would be convenient and nice to have one (besides Sainsbury's) and I think it could be beneficial for the community.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Editor (14th Jul 2022 - 08:44:01) UK book sales were at 344 Million in 2011 In 2019 it was 191 Million Sales increased very slightly during covid to 200 Million, which must nearly all have been online due to lockdowns. I suspect there is no demand for a bricks and mortar book shop any more unfortunately.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Jen (14th Jul 2022 - 09:34:44) There used to be a nice little book shop in Grayshott, but it closed down about 10 years ago, I think due to a decline in sales rendering it unviable. Online shopping, audio books and ebooks have all taken away business from book shops.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Russ (14th Jul 2022 - 09:42:15) The charity shops in station road have quite a lot of books. Paul Robinson Amazing Book Company in the longmoor road he is very helpful . Might just help.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - AF (14th Jul 2022 - 10:10:32) The answer is internet, kindle and supermarkets. Not enough business to keep a bookshop viable. I think there is still one in Haslemere and definitely in Petersfield and Alton. Be thankfull you still have a library.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - dave (14th Jul 2022 - 11:44:07) Amazon!

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Helen (14th Jul 2022 - 13:04:20) There are plenty of other goods I can think of potentially to also have in Liphook but it is a question of rising rents and business rates against potential profits. How about a shoe shop? Underwear shop? Ladies dress shop, mens outfitters? Delicatessen ? Fish shop? Furniture shop?

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - BD (14th Jul 2022 - 14:21:34) Helen - do you want a branch of Ann Summers ????

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - keith (14th Jul 2022 - 15:10:38) Either a tattoo parlour or mosque would be handy.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Colin (14th Jul 2022 - 16:33:15) I went to the Haslemere bookshop recently to get a specific hardback. They didn't have it in stock but would order it in and it would be ready for me to collect in 3 days. Instead, I ordered it on Amazon and it was delivered the next day for £10 less. If you're happy to pay a premium, take a look at bookshop.org which is a collective of independent bookshops. I'm all for keeping the high street alive, and I'm less price-sensitive than others, but I'd rather spend that £10 on a bottle of wine from the General Wine Company or toward a couple of pints at a local pub than overpaying in a futile attempt to keep a dying industry alive. Some people argue that "customer service" is enhanced at a local bookshop. But why would anyone pay a (significant) premium to talk about the weather or rely on one person's recommendations when online retailers can give you personalised recommendations based on accurate algorithms and deliver quickly. The same could be said for banking. Some people prefer to visit a branch so they can have a "friendly chat". In my view, why would anyone want to travel to and/or queue up to talk about the weather with a retail assistant who's probably smiling at you behind gritted teeth? I'd much rather spend that time with friends and family instead. Plus, if you're using your branch for anything other than buying a product such as a mortgage or insurance then you're costing the bank money. People will argue that they "can't" bank online. But, If you have the capability to post or read a site like Liphook Talkback, you most certainly have the capability to bank online.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Anon (10th Aug 2022 - 17:02:19) Normally I order books online but whenever I go into town (Guildford or even Woking) I enjoy going into the local bookshop and having a look around and seeing if any community events are occurring. Plus if there was one in Liphook I would most likely work there when I can so that's that too. It's just a personal preference of mine but I was wondering if anyone else would like this.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Sam (10th Aug 2022 - 18:37:50) Because the cost of landlords rent or tenancy on top of the council and business tax would mean they need to sell at least £1000 worth of books a day to break even. Even the online purchase of books from residents of Liphook if solely directed into this pretend bookshop wouldn't be enough to keep a bookshop of the required floorspace open. Why would you ask such a nonsense question? Liphook isn't Charring cross road or Cecil court in London. Half of you all want something and are prepared to float in and buy a book once in a while (Not enough) whilst the other half will make sure whatever business it might be is utterly destroyed by your review on here. sort yourselves out

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - paul (10th Aug 2022 - 21:44:17) Hi, Why do most people nowadays go out "high street" shopping. I think it is an outdated concept. People have many mediums to buy personal needs, delivered to their door. Yes there will always be friends who want a day out, browsing, and a coffee or meal. They are in a minority in todays lifestyle. The young generation today, and the future, want experience venues, and entertainment. They do not want to spend endless hours traipsing a town centre for little reward.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - B (11th Aug 2022 - 12:32:36) Hi, There’s an excellent book shop on London Road, it’s called the library, it has many, many books and membership isn’t exclusive. Hope this helps

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - D (11th Aug 2022 - 13:07:38) In answer to the original question I think we need to look back several decades. It's interesting to note that the local towns with the best shops are towns which used to have a really good weekly market, ie. Alton and Petersfield. Liphook was not a market town, merely a collection of farms inhabited by illiterate farm labourers whom had no need of a bookshop. Interesting to note the critics of the original post have very bad written English.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Penny Williamson (11th Aug 2022 - 15:22:10) D With regard your post and your use of the word "whom" it should be "who". Incorrect English methinks.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - passfield resident (11th Aug 2022 - 16:26:40) D-you seem to have a need to insult someone or other every time you post. My grandfather and great grandfather were farm labourers, but they were far from illiterate. I think that I'd find a lot of spelling and/or grammatical mistakes if I went through all your posts.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Pete (11th Aug 2022 - 16:41:32) D- Hoisted by your own petard :)

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Joe (11th Aug 2022 - 17:25:25) Perhaps Liphook really does need a bookshop, so that D can purchase a book on grammar!

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - D (13th Aug 2022 - 00:50:45) I'm not insulting anyone. Before child education was compulsory nearly everyone was illiterate. I refer to "illiterate farm labourers" because until the early twentieth century that's mostly what Liphook consisted of. Had we lived elsewhere I could have referred to illiterate factory workers or fisherman. Be my guest, Passfield Resident. You could print off all my posts and go through them with a red pen.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - D (13th Aug 2022 - 07:44:31) Penny Williamson, I really don't think anyone whom uses (correct use of whom) a term such as "methinks" is in a position to criticize anyone's written English. Do you?

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Pete (13th Aug 2022 - 09:35:49) Methinks-verbARCHAIC•HUMOROUS "life has been rather hard on her, methinks" Its a real word in the dictionary.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - passfield resident (13th Aug 2022 - 09:36:14) Thanks D. I woke up a bit grumpy this morning but "whom uses" made me laugh. Makes me think of a study done by an American university which they claimed showed that a portion of the population is so stupid that it doesn't know it's stupid.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Penny Williamson (13th Aug 2022 - 09:38:11) Sorry D really don't undertstand your post. Please explain. Perhaps It's the heat!

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - D (13th Aug 2022 - 10:54:40) Passfield Resident, I do hope your sarcastic tone isn't typical of teachers in general today. Your conduct on this website does your profession no favours at all.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Joe (13th Aug 2022 - 13:11:34) D it is not correct “ whom uses” - I think you need to go back to school. You are in no position to criticise anyone.

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Snapper (14th Aug 2022 - 10:20:08) What's a bookshop?

Re: Why does Liphook not have a bookshop? - Penny Williamson (14th Aug 2022 - 14:51:22) D Still waiting for an explanation for your criticism of my previous post. Also Joe is correct when he posts that the statement in your post dated 13th Aug 2022 - 07:44:31 starting with "I really don't think anyone whom uses" is incorrect. It should be "who uses" not "whom uses".

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