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Pan's staff seek new premises

03.12.07 Graeme Neill

The manager and staff of the Pan Bookshop are looking into whether they can open a new independent in the area after Pan closes next month. The shop's manager, Julian Rafot, said that customers had been upset since the closure was announced and he said that he has been looking for alternative sites in the area.

Pan owner Macmillan announced last month that it was closing the Fulham Road shop after 32 years of trading because of "tough market conditions, a decline in the overall trading of independent bookshops combined with an expensive high street location in Chelsea".

"It seems silly to give up seeing that the nearby Waterstone's is also due to close," he said. "They both take a fair bit of money. A lot of customers have been coming in and asking what they can do for help. To ignore what they have been saying would be foolish." However, Rafot added that he was unlikely to open another store without financial backing.

Pan employs nine core members of staff as well as eight people who work irregular shifts.

Shortly after Pan's closure was announced, Waterstone's revealed it was closing the nearby Old Brompton Road branch. It was the first branch of the chain to open in 1982.

Retail Todays Picks Macmillan Graeme Neill Pan Julian Rafot

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By Simon

I sincerely hope that this happens. Reading the coments on the Pan blog, I only hope that all these well heeled customers who are apalled by the closure, are willing to invest a little time and effort should Julian and his staff need it. Dig deep.

03 Dec 07 18:22

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By Clive Keeble

Let's face it, there ain't no fairy god mothers in this world. The most common reason for businesses succeeding is that the owners are prepared to work their butts off 365 days a year, take no wages and re-invest 99.9% of the take in the formative years. This on line article from today's Los Angeles Times says it all - there's so many pearls of wisdom written within. Read it twenty times and you'll have missed something. http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-powell3dec03,0,7804830,full.story?coll=la-books-headlines Will a backer arrive over the horizon to "tank" (fund) an independent bookshop in Fulham/Chelsea/Kensington ; well you pays your money and takes your pick, but jeezh this industry is not for the faint-hearted dreamers.

03 Dec 07 19:11

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By Emily

I am so saddened by the news that Pan is closing and really hope it re-opens somewhere near by. It is tragic that so many gorgeous bookshops are being closed and this seems even more so as surely its closest competitor Waterstones is shutting too!

14 Jan 08 11:40

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