Final chapter for city bookstore

By Kelly Bonner
BBC news

It's the final chapter for Londonderry's last independent book store.

The shop has been selling books for the last three decades

Following a record drop in sales over Christmas, Bookworm on Bishop Street is set to close, after almost 30 years in business.

The owner Peter McKenzie said he can no longer compete with larger bookstores.

"We have been losing money for around four years now. I kept thinking I could turn it around," he said.

"I have borrowed money on the rising price of the property, but I just couldn't go on. We have lost around £200,000 in the past four years, it's just not sustainable anymore."

Bookworm first opened its doors in Orchard Street in 1978 and has been the only independent book store in the city.

Mr McKenzie said there were a number of reasons for the closure.

"The likes of Amazon and big supermarkets are able to sell big titles with 20% off, we cannot compete with that," he said.

The Derry man, who has been supplying novels to the bookworms of the city for almost three decades, said it was extremely difficult to come to the decision to close.

"It's hard to see it go, but times change and things move on."

The store is set to close its doors in March.

Ironically, however, there is a new chapter for Bookworm.

Mr McKenzie says he will keep on selling books online, the one side of Bookworm's business which has grown over the years.