Waterstones has been accused of breaking a pledge not to open a new breed of unbranded stores in areas that are already home to independent bookshops after the company announced plans to expand in Edinburgh.
The bookseller is to open Stockbridge Books in the Scottish city’s Stockbridge suburb next spring, it emerged on Monday.
However, the plans have drawn the ire of Golden Hare Books, which is also based in Stockbridge. The retailer pointed to comments last year by the Waterstones chief executive, James Daunt, who said of the new stores: “They are very small shops in towns that had independents and very much wish they still had independents but don’t.”
Julie Danskin, the manager of Golden Hare Books, said other independent bookstores had been in touch to share their disappointment that Waterstones would be opening a store in the area.
“We can see why they are opening here because it’s a vibrant community, and the fact is that it is more about the name than the shop opening,” said Danskin, who was in London to attend the British book awards. Golden Hare Books had been nominated in the British children’s bookseller of the year category.
“It’s about the fact that this will be masquerading as an independent bookshop. James Daunt talks a lot about an even playing field and working with independent brands, but this is essentially backtracking on his previous statements.
“We don’t have plans to go anywhere and really hope that people will choose to support us, but if more chains open up then we are going to see a homogenisation of streets.”
Golden Hare Books, which has been in Stockbridge for four years, is owned by Mark Jones, the art historian and former director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Calling for public support to take on Waterstones, Golden Hare Books tweeted: “We love being part of our community, Stockbridge, and want to be there for many years to come. Only you can help us do this. If you do, Waterstones cannot hurt us. Please choose to shop indie.”
Waterstones has opened a number of stores under different names in other parts of the UK, sparking accusations that they are posing as independent bookshops to avoid the backlash against the homogenisation of Britain’s high streets.
Named after the towns in which they are based, the Southwold Bookshop was the first to open in summer 2014; it was followed by others in towns including Rye and Harpenden. The owner’s true identity has not been immediately apparent, save for clues such as handwritten notices in windows.
The Waterstones venture in Edinburgh will be in Raeburn Place, a new development in a largely affluent area close to Edinburgh city centre.
Daunt was quoted in the Bookseller as saying the firm had “long wished” to have a presence in Stockbridge, which has a large Waterstones branch in Princes Street.
He said: “It will be a tad smaller than our Princes Street flagship and, like every good bookshop, will draw its personality from its community and neighbouring shops. In consequence, we will be calling it Stockbridge Books and look forward greatly to its opening.”
The Guardian has approached Waterstones for additional comment.
