Last week I was gutted when I found out that Self help Africa in Botanic was closing for trade. I have many happy memories of shopping there over the decades, back from when I was a student at Queen’s University Belfast, and it was known as War on Want.
After speaking to the management, I found out that the store was being made to close, despite turning over a profit, as all the shops on the same block were gradually succumbing to pressure to shut. I can only imagine that the whole block, full of charm and character, is set to be sold off and will probably become a bland block of swish, apartments that are unaffordable for most. Such is the (shortsighted) way of things in the name of business. Hmph to that.
The last day of trading was Saturday 28 June, so as you can imagine, I went on several shopping trips there with my hubby and son over the past week. My summer reading pile would probably reach the ceiling now if I were to stack them all up.
If ever I win the lottery, I will open a bookstore and nobody will make me close it. We need books, culture, art…and community!
Goodbye to another Belfast bookstore, and may it be the last to shut.
Leilanie Stewart 
So sorry. I love books too.
Annoying, and worrying. Less readers = less bookshops needed. 😦
It’s so shortsighted of landlords to make a shop shut when the community support is there. I wish literature and art were valued more. 😥
Don’t we all? But at this time when even universities are closing their English Literature courses due to lack of uptake I fear we’re doomed. 😦
Same here, though really hoping it won’t be the case…😥😥😥