Moreton bookshop closes its doors for the last time (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

The Cotswold Bookstore in Moreton-in-Marsh closes its doors for the last time

9:00am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in News By Ian Craig

A POPULAR independent bookshop in Moreton-in-Marsh is closing its doors for the last time.

The Cotswold Bookstore is closing at the end of December after more than 10 years in the North Cotswolds town.

Tony Keats, who, along with business partner David Whitehouse, bought the shop in March 2003 when its previous owners threatened to close it, said the rise of the internet had made it impossible to run an independent bookshop.

“The essence of the matter is we’re not making enough money to keep going,” he said.

“Footfall has diminished over the last three or so years and last Christmas a lot of people got Kindles and that’s really hit our book sales.”

The shop has welcomed a number of notable authors over the years and also played host to the launches of both books in the widely popular children’s series Justin Thyme by Panama Oxridge.

Tony, who is looking forward to his retirement after the shop closes on Saturday December 29, planning to retire after the shop said Moreton had seen a number of independent shops close recently.

“It’s greatly disappointing not only for the shop but for the whole town,” he said.

“We’re not the only one to go and we won’t be the last I think – it’s very sad.”

Wendy Dare, who lives in nearby Blockley, said she was sad to see the shop – which she described as “part of the Moreton scenery” – shut down.