WORDPLAY to close?!

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Such a shame. I heard from member of staff yesterday that Wordplay in crouch end is closing at the end of May. Usual reason for independent shops biting the dust in CE, landlord is putting the rent up beyond what shop can afford to pay.
I suppose there is the bookshop in muswell hill but soo hard to park up there and i liked having a children's bookshop in walking distance. hurumph.

Sad news though I don't live in CE and haven't been to Wordplay, must visit while it's still there. I'm in Tottenham and don't really have any bookshops independent or otherwise nearby - Waterstones took over Ottakars in Wood Green and closed it down. I love Prospero's in CE but I think that doesn't sell kids' books.

Sad news though I don't live in CE and haven't been to Wordplay, must visit while it's still there. I'm in Tottenham and don't really have any bookshops independent or otherwise nearby - Waterstones took over Ottakars in Wood Green and closed it down. I love Prospero's in CE but I think that doesn't sell kids' books.

This is so wrong (I only occasionally go to Wordplay but that's not the point)

So now we are just left with WH Smith (haha) in Wood Green and a handful of independent bookshops scattered throughout the borough.

Even the children's library in WG isn't as good as it used to be.

The Muswell Hill Children's book shop is very good, and if you are going by car you could park in the Odeon Car park.

Wordplay, as a toy and bookshop had a lower range of books.

Will miss it tho'

Will really miss it - hope we don't get another bar/cafe/trinket shop!

Blimey.. you can tell I've been busy. I didn't know that.

I tend to use the Children's Bookshop in MH. Love it. They've never steered me wrong with book choices for the family.

Now.. is there a Cafe Nero in CE yet? If there is then I wonder which coffee chain isn't represented in CE because that's what will open.

I have just found out that a new independent bookshop is to open in WG (don't know if it's child friendy but thought you might like to know). Apparently the manager/s used to run Waterstones so could be interesting!

Big Green Bookshop

Having skimmed the blog it looks rather child friendly.

well that's good news for wood green but i'll miss having a shop in walking distance. I suppose I'll just have to get the bus to Muswell Hill (i can never find parking up there).
i wonder if a bookshop would work better off the main drag in CE...is this a business opportunity? or is everything which isn't a chain being priced out of CE? How does a shop like 'Goody Gumdrops' survive with erratic opening hours and similar stock to other shops which have folded? Retail is a mystery to me.

Hi, I am the owner of Goody Gumdrops in Crouch End and read your comments. Just wondering why you think our opening hours are erratic - we are open from 10.00 until 5.30 Tuesday to Saturday which is in keeping with many other independent shops in the area. I have two small children so cannot open on Mondays but after Easter we hope to. It is difficult, as you so rightly point out to keep small, independent shops going, but hopefully with plenty of support from locals (many of which seem to really enjoy shopping at Goody Gumdrops), we will survive. My aim was to offer something a bit different and I have also tried to make it both mother and child friendly - we can accommodate buggies, let children play with toys and plan to be offering themed children's parties and activities in the near future. I hope those of you who have not shopped at Goody Gumdrops will come and visit the shop and see for yourself....

The Wood Green bookshop is great news for us, I'm in Tottenham so it's nearer to me than CE. I would say it's in one of the nearest bits of WG to Crouch End as well.

Do you have any interest in offering books mummydo?

Actually the closure of wordplay must surely create a gap in the market for quite a lot of things....

haven't been in to Goody Gumdrops yet but will introduce myself when I do mummydo

apologies mummydo, i have now twigged that you simply open tuesday to saturday, which isn't erratic. it just took a while for the closed on monday thing to sink in!
hope it's all going well for you. have spied a couple of t-shirts i fancy in your display...

I totally agree - books at GG would be great

Hello, mummies, sorry taken so long to reply to you all. We have recently introduced a small book section at the back of our shop... please please come along and let us know what you think. From October we will be open seven days a week (getting an au-pair so more time to put into business). We are very child friendly, table and chairs at the back where children can scribble, a kitchen to play with and we don;t freak out if children touch things. We also have a basement which we hope to have converted by early next year pending investment this will become a childrens party venue, but also I plan to get some soft play equipment, so that mum's, dad's and carers can come one day a week and chill out while kids play... we have loads of plans, so it would be great to have your support. The shop may look quite pink but we have lots of things for boys too as well as party bag stuff and pocket money toys and we are constantly souring new things. I hope that you will be able to pop by and have a look. No need to go all the way to Wood Green for books, as we also have a book ordering service. Thank you for your support and sorry a bit defensive earlier, but it's hard work trying to do business and kids... but hope Goodygumdrops can bring a bit of fun into your day or your little ones day soon. 10% discount for net mum's just mention mum's net at the till.

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well, I think it's a bit like Chinese torture taking little ones into a toy shop if they can't touch. With two of my own, I tried to make things a bit easier for fellow mummies.
Also, anyone who's been in and has any comments on stock they'd like to see...or not see - comments are very welcome.

Re Wood Green Bookshop. I'm so glad someone mentioned this as its my boyfriend's bookshop. Its called the Big Green Bookshop and its on Brampton Park Road. Sorry for the shameless plug but as a new business, you gotta do what you've gotta do. I can assure you it is very child friendly, not only because thay have a large selection of kids books but also because we've just had a baby so completely understand the needs of you mums out there. They can also get most books the next day if its not in stock.One more plug, Famous dad Andrew Clover, author of Dad Rules (from his column in The Times) will be at the shop tonight at 7pm, talking about his book. We would love to see some of you mums and dads there. Just want to also support Mummydo's shop Goody Gumdrops, its a fantastic shop and has the most gorgeous toys and clothes. I loved Wordplay but it was no good if you had a buggy, no room to manoeuvre.

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Thanks oops. I think the smell of wood has subsided since the opening, now its just the aroma of coffee and books. Hope to see you in the shop again soon.

I hope to get to another reading at Big Green Bookshop some time but can't make it tonight - will be somewhere else while dp puts ds to bed.

Hi again mums, there is a 10% discount for all Mumsnet users at Big Green Bookshop. Just mention Mumsnet at the till and hope to see you soon.

Hello there,
brilliant news! Goody Gumdrops is going to have a really good sized area dedicated to childrens books.
They've teamed up with The Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green who are going to be helping them look after the section.
There's a Grand Opening on April 24th when Maisy Mouse will be visiting and also the brilliant author Emma Chichester Clark will be there to cut the ribbon at midday.
I admit I have a vested interest in this (my boyfriend is the co-owner of the Big Green Bookshop) but it's really good to know there's a place to buy a really good selection of children's books in Crouch End again.

That's good, but I hope this isn't going to lure The Big Green Bookshop west from Wood Green!

Maybe we'll try to make it on 24 April.