Battle of the bookshops
Posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 11:40pm
5 responses
I was listening to Radio 4 on my way to work today, and there was a discussion about allegations of how Oxfam is apparently taking over the second hand books market. There was a representative from the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association on the show, and a representative from Oxfam.
To be fair, there was no great fight, but I was swayed towards Oxfam’s argument much more so that the Booksellers Fairs Association. What is wrong with a charity seeking to make money to help those in poverty, those who desperately need their help? If the argument was against large multi national corporations like Tesco who are selling books at such a cheap rate- a company which is also putting small independent record stores out of work for selling cheap cd’s, then I would have much more sympathy with the second hand booksellers.
It can’t be just as simple as blaming Oxfam, surely? The representative from Oxfam quite clearly stressed that they only opened a bookstore in areas where they have clear support and where they have a vibrant Oxfam shop, therefore I don’t see this as some sort of mercenary exercise by Oxfam chiefs to undermine their ‘competitors’.
The Oxfam bookshop in Swansea, for example, is a great community hub. Yes it is a second hand bookstore, but it has many dedicated volunteers- many of whom are asylum seekers who cannot work in Wales even if they wanted to. They organise cultural events, poetry readings and craft sessions. Nonetheless, I do sympathise with the second hand booksellers. I love pottering around such shops. I love their mustiness, and the excitement of chancing upon a rear find, or a first edition. But we are in a recession, there are global forces at work, and I’m afraid that Oxfam is not the appropriate choice of organisation by which to vent their anger!
In other news, I took part in a British Youth Council debate today in Swansea. The discussion was all going smoothly until we got a question ‘Why do some politicians always blame London?’ I went on to explain that Wales would like the tools to be able to change things in Wales, and that while we will do the best with the powers we have, we should have additional powers. I also said that it was our duty as AMs to raise awareness of issues when decisions are made in Westminster, such as opposition to ID cards, and the illegal Iraq War. However, when Kirsty Williams AM responded, she launched into a massive attack on ‘the Nationalists’ who are ‘always asking for more money for this and that.’ ‘ The Nationalists are the worst at it, not taking responsibility for their decisions in the Welsh Assembly Government’. Its not as if the Lib dems ever ask for additional funds fom WAG or Westminster, is it now?!
And when Jane Hutt answered the same question, Kirsty sat idly by, nodding like she could do no wrong! Seems to me that the Lib dem strategy in Wales is to attack attack attack Plaid, and to try and pave the way for a Lib Lab pact. I won’t go over old ground, but most of us know who turned down the opportunities of being in government in 2007! I just thought the whole response from Kirsty was a little ill judged and not really fitting for the event in question. But there we are, at least Plaid are getting under the skin of the Lib Dems! We had some other good questions on sexual health in Wales from the young people present; provision of youth facilities, criminalisation of young people, and MPs expenses. All very varied and interesting.
I’m going to visit Swansea Drugs Project tomorrow. They are developing a new centre with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, so I hope to see how its progressing. Charities like this are so important. This rang true to me today especially when I visited the Lets Garw/ TimeBank charity in Pontycymmer today. They said that Wicada could not get funding to provide outreach support officers to help local people at their base in the shop. Those running the charity told me that locals had to take the decision to travel to Bridgend, or go without any help. With people clearly in need of such services, they should be developed, supported and prioritised- not cut or deprived of finance.
problem with Oxfam is how they are trading. If its under their charity arm then they have to be very careful in the way they do it
Displacement of trade comes into play, if you have charitable funds then you cannot displace an existing business that doesn’t. Why ,easy ,its an unfair advantage.
Charities were not set up to be trading entities .If they set up arms length social business that cede their profit to the charity then that’s ok, but displacement still counts.
The law is very strict on this.
There are a couple of issues on this one that concern me, in addition to my preference for independent businesses rather than £ multimillion chains.
One point is that if a secondhand bookshop is operating, it will be paying – say – £10k of business rates to the Council.
If an Oxfam bookshop arrives, and the indie shop closes, everything else being equal that will be £8k at least of income lost to the local community from the mandatory business rate discount, never mind the staff wages and any other reduced charges etc.
There will also be the tax lost on profits to the Exchequer.
That substitution occurs is not really in question (despite the Oxfam spokespeople taking the debate in different directions).
Perhaps ask the council how much it costs them in lost revenue having a large charity bookshop rather than a commercial outlet in town. You can probably say better than me what they could do with the £10k or £30k or whatever it is.
I think the first thing I would like to see is more information out there, so that there can be a better debate.
My piece:
http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2009/08/07/oxfam-books-ltd-looking-at-large-charity-corporations/
I suppose the argument with regards to Oxfam though is that they are missusing their charity status. They are enjoying perks that independent book shops can’t enjoy in not having to pay business rates, gift aid etc which gives them a massive headstart on anything any independent book shop can do. In essence Oxfam are acting like Tescos by undermining local businesses. Tescos also have their own Charity which donates to good causes, so what really is the difference?
Every time Kirsty Williams opens her mouth she comes across as a petulant child throwing a hissy fit, unbefitting of a national politician.
I wouldn’t lose sleep over the an irrelevant politician from an increasing irrelevant party…Lib Dems are never going to get into power at Westminster and ran away from the rainbow coalition, so just one question…the Lib dem party – what’s the point?
I wouldn’t worry to much about Kirsty Williams Bethan. She is so weak and ineficient as a leader and she comes over as very imature, the LibDems are going to go through the floor in Wales.