A new community co-operative bookshop could open soon in Southport.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley raised the issue in the House of Commons, during a Business and Trade debate on co-operatives.
It follows the devastating closure of the independent Broadhurst’s bookshop in Southport town centre in August this year.
The iconic shop, which stocked over a million first hand and second hand titles, had been trading at 5-7 Market Street since it was opened by Charles Kenyon Broadhurst in 1920.
Broadhurst’s bookshop has been owned by Laurie Hardman, who tragically died earlier this year after 55 years in post. Mr Hardman began working at the shop in 1969.
The shop was famous for stocking over a million new and second hand books; booksellers wrapping up books bought by customers with brown paper and string; the roaring log fire and armchair; a superb children’s section; and historic and rare titles going back not just years but centuries.
Speaking in Parliament, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “Co-operative businesses can be the lifeblood of our towns and communities.
“In my constituency, I have been working with stakeholders and interested parties to bring about a community co-operative bookshop, following the closure of independent bookshops in Southport in recent years due to the cost of living.
“May I take this opportunity to encourage new expressions of interest in the bookshop, and to ask the Minister to confirm what more support the Government can provide for our co-operative sector, so that towns like mine can see a thriving high street built around our community?”
Gareth Thomas Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) replied: “My hon. Friend is absolutely right to underline the positive community impacts that co-operatives, mutual businesses and social enterprises can have not only on our high streets, but in our communities more generally. We recently announced a significant increase in the capital available to the British Business Bank, and that has enabled us to give £150 million of additional support to community banks, or community development finance institutions, as they are officially known.
“That will help drive more lending to community businesses, potentially including the one he set out, but if there is anything I can do to support the initiative, I would be happy to meet him to discuss it.”
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