would you use an independent book shop?

I'm going to add to my post. I think the reason a second hand bookshop would be a better idea is simply this - the average Waterstones customer could (and by the latest figures, probably does) just order from Amazon. The people who actually enjoy going to bookshops ime rate the secondhand experience above new. In my city, there are lots of empty units too. But we have lots of secondhand bookshops that seem to be doing very well

i have wanted to do this for years
have been advised against it....

Dont do it. it is so cut throat. You will not be able to compete with the prices that Amazon etc negotiate (or insist the publishers supply the books at).

Our town's family run book shop that has been here for 20 years has closed down this year.

I think a indie bookshop with a really well stocked children's section would do well. SInce the death of borders, my ds has nowhere to browse....sad.

I do use our independent store and amazon.

We devour books but have to say it's because Amazon and other sites like the BookPeople make it so easy and reasonably priced. Last books we bought did come from WHS but that was because they were heavily discounted. Waterstones are struggling and Borders (with aromatic coffee shops) have gone to the wall.

Would so love to say yes, and maybe in a niche town that fights off big developers and supports independents, like Holt in Norfolk for instance, it would work, but otherwise a tough market.

fine as a hobby, not as a business

I think to say it definitely wouldn't work is too harsh. I can think of some independent bookshops which are doing well (well, as far as I know, as in they haven't announced a closing down sale!). They are all niche shops, or have some kind of raison d'etre that is nothing that Waterstones etc do.

Of course you couldn't compete directly with Waterstones on price, but that's not to say it's totally unviable as an idea.

Also, the coffee shop bit could work if you were in the right area and did it right. How much experience does he have of running a bookshop / cafe / business / marketing and promotions etc?

Does he have an idea of what kind of bookshop / cafe it would be?

Not a new bookshop, no. But I would definately (and do) use a second hand bookshop. If he had a good size space and enough room to put good comfy chairs rather than wooden seats (this has become a real bugbear of mine purely for the reason that I nip in for a coffee and a read when ds is in his pushchair for his nap and I want to have a real squishy seat to sink into ) then all the better

Yes, see my reply on your other thread.

Good luck if you go ahead - personally I use both, Amazon is unbeatable on price and range but I do love a little independent shop too. We have one near us - no coffee sadly, but a great little shop.

Totally depends on demand where you are.

I do use independent bookshops, but lots have been shut, haven't they? even Borders has gone bust. I suspect it's a really difficult business to get in to, and may well be a labour of love.

Having said that, if you could make it work, it would be great, I can certainly see the attraction.

Where are you?

Sorry, but it wouldn't work. Since the ending of RPM on books the market has completely opened up and it would be almost impossible to compete with cost cutting supermarkets/Waterstones/Amazon.

I never go into bookshops now. I always use amazon - mainly because they are very reasonable, can get great second hand titles and the delivery service is amazing. Some folk like to browse book shops though TBH if I want to do that I go to the library. DH is always browsing in bookshops but mainly buys on Amazon.

Do you have any local competition in the area from independents or chains?

To be honest, I suspect this isn't the best time to do it.