In with independent business, out with the online giants!

For years East Anglia has thrived on the success of privately owned businesses, but in the recent years private businesses have been inched out by big corporations in real life and online.

One of these businesses is The Halesworth bookshop in north-east Suffolk, owned by Abbie Clements. The bookshop is described as “a hidden gem” and a “proud independent bookshop”, on the Halesworth bookshop website, something which we are beginning to lose here in east Anglia.

Abbie became the owner of the bookshop in 2017 and has overcome many ups and downs in the past seven years, the big one, the corona virus epidemic.

“The Covid situation undoubtedly had a massive impact on our little business, as it did on many across the country…Closing the business for long periods was frightening, and I was scared about continuing without the usual daily income. However, we managed to survive.”

Clements admits physical corporations locally haven’t had major effects on her business, however “competing against online giants… is a challenge.”

Covid coupled with the surge of online book retailers, has caused a real struggle for independent bookshops like Abbie’s, but as a community you can help. The physical and human nature of independent shops creates something very well needed in this modern era Intimacy and face to face contact.

At Halesworth they offer many in and out of store activities, “one-to-one book discussions, hosting author events, and collaborating with local schools for children's events.”

But it’s not just Halesworth, East Anglia is wide and varied, you may not be a literature person at all, there are so many local independent businesses that can flourish with support and help.

Abbie sums it up beautifully “Running a small independent bookshop has its challenges, but the rewards are immeasurable. The personal connections we forge with our customers, the joy of recommending the perfect book, and the sense of community we foster make it all worthwhile.”

Halesworth bookshop website: The Halesworth Bookshop Bookshop UK