NI authors: Easons closures a sad day for those who loved browsing books

Two Northern Ireland authors have said that the closure of the Province’s Easons stores will rob people in many major towns of the opportunity to properly browse through books.
By Graeme Cousins
Published 16th Jul 2020, 13:48 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2020, 14:24 BST
Eason has told staff it will not be reopening its seven shops in Northern IrelandEason has told staff it will not be reopening its seven shops in Northern Ireland
Eason has told staff it will not be reopening its seven shops in Northern Ireland

The Dublin-based retailer announced on Wednesday that all seven of its stores in Northern Ireland would not be reopening having closed for lockdown on March 23 and furloughed all staff.

Bangor writer Colin Bateman, author of Divorcing Jack, has fond memories of the bookstore.

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He said: “I did one of my first ever book signings 25 years ago in Bangor Easons, so it’s obviously very sad to see it go. But it’s not just a result of Covid 19, it’s a reflection of the times and especially Amazon – and I’m guilty of it myself – in that it’s just easier to order online.

Author Colin Bateman who remembers doing a book signing in Easons Bangor 25 years agoAuthor Colin Bateman who remembers doing a book signing in Easons Bangor 25 years ago
Author Colin Bateman who remembers doing a book signing in Easons Bangor 25 years ago

“What it will mean is that it leaves towns as big as Bangor without a bookshop, and while the supermarkets have their book sections they kind of impose their choice of books on you, rather than you having the ability to properly browse and to make your own mind up.”

Eason and Son employs 144 staff in NI at stores in Belfast, Londonderry, Coleraine, Bangor, Lisburn, Enniskillen and Newtownabbey. Its Ballymena outlet closed in February.

Colin added: “The way forward I think for bookshops is in small specialist book stores like No Alibis (on Botanic Avenue in Belfast) that can engage with the reading community.

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“It’ll be interesting to see if anyone steps in to fill that gap and whether towns outside of Belfast that had an Easons can sustain their own bookstore.”

News Letter political editor Sam McBride who promoted his book Burned in five NI Easons stores last yearNews Letter political editor Sam McBride who promoted his book Burned in five NI Easons stores last year
News Letter political editor Sam McBride who promoted his book Burned in five NI Easons stores last year

News Letter political editor Sam McBride last year travelled to five Easons stores in NI to give talks or do book signings of his book Burned.

He said: “In places like Enniskillen or Londonderry, Easons was the only large bookshop – and the knowledgeable staff really promoted local writing in a way that faceless online corporations will not do.

“To lose a Northern Ireland institution of Easons’ importance is not just a problem for local writers, but also for the reading public – especially in provincial towns – who will now struggle to find a bookshop where they can browse titles specific to Northern Ireland rather than the homogenised sameness available online.”

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Easons said it would “commence a consultation process around proposals not to reopen its seven stores in Northern Ireland”.

It said: “The announcement follows a detailed review of the stores in Northern Ireland in the context of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on current and future trade and the implications of a number of other significant factors on the future prospects and sustainability of the business in Northern Ireland.”

The announcement has no impact on operations in the Republic of Ireland.

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said: “Eason & Son was a household name and a hugely respected local business, and its closure is a loss to our retail sector.

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“It’s not just the loss of the business – it is the reduced footfall for the surrounding traders located beside its seven stores that we also have to factor in.

“Our retail sector and town centres face a long road back and we need the executive to bring forward a big, bold recovery plan to help create 21st century high streets and to support and grow our local retail sector.”

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Related topics:Northern IrelandProvinceEnniskillen