Worryingly, the number of independent bookshops in the UK has dipped below one thousand. Those that manage to continue thriving are said to have diversified, working with schools and community hubs. The article below makes the economic case for sustaining High Street shopping, but I also think a good bookshop is a cultural and health necessity for any decent size town. Reading is good for people’s wellbeing. And in some places, the best range of books locally now is at the Oxfam shop.

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/britain-now-has-fewer-than-1000-independent-bookshops-for-the-first-time-since-records-began-9145189.html