Bookshop falls victim to digital era

IT WAS the end of an era in Dun Laoghaire last weekend when a much-loved bookstore closed its doors after 25 years in business.

Jonathan Goodbody, proprietor of Readers on George’s Street, reluctantly made the decision to cease trading after seeing a decline in the business in recent years. He said the shop, which sold new and secondhand books, found it impossible to compete with the digital era.

Apart from customers moving to devices such as the Kindle for their literary needs, he noted that an increasing number of people are ordering their books – new and used – from websites such as Amazon.

“It’s hard to compete when some secondhand books are being sold on the internet for one penny, plus postage and packaging,

? explained Jonathan.

He expressed his thanks to the many customers who have passed through his door over the years but insisted he was not bitter about having to close.

“I’m not a bitter person by nature but I do think it’s a pity I had to close the shop and I will certainly miss it,

? he said.

One other person had been working with Jonathan in the shop until its closure on Sunday.

“In my own case I’m near enough to retirement age so it was probably time to do something else,

? he added.

A number of comments were posted on social networking sites last week expressing sadness at the closure of Readers. Clearly, this was one bookshop that was held in great affection in Dun Laoghaire.

However, fans of Readers can take heart in the fact that Jonathan will continue to sell a selection of books online at www.readers.ie