How can Britains only Lesbian and Gay bookshop be under threat from closure? Rising rents and falling sales are threatening this small but significant outlet which has been the inspiration for many writers. Established in 1979, Gay's The Word is losing custom and fast, partly due to trade drop-offs after the 7/7 London Bombings. In addition, rising competition from the likes of Amazon isn't helping either. It is hoping to secure its future by raising £20,000 to pay the rent, build a strong internet presence and by beefing up community activities.
Jim MacSweeney, manager of GTW told us, "Since we went public with our imminent closure, there has been a huge and overwhelming response from our regulars, new customers and media, the drive to sponsor bookshelves is going well."
Celebrity customers are also at the forefront of a concerted campaign to save it. Booker-nominated novelist Sarah Waters has been quoted as saying: "For me it's more than a bookshop. It was one of those places you went to when you first arrived in London; it had its noticeboard and it was a meeting place. It felt very empowering that it was here and it is still important that there is a visible place for people to go."
The shop has seen troubles before; in 1984 the shop was raided by Customs and Excise and the shop's directors were charged with conspiracy to import indecent books. The case collapsed.
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Posted by Lornz, at 18:10 on Fri, May 4th
Totally agree with the above comments. If they can try and make £20,000 for the year for rent I'm sure they could afford an on-line shop, you can buy them for free now and customise them yourself, Reading Pride's Cost nothing to put together. (Because it has to). There is no excuse for a business not to.