Does using Amazon close independent bookshops – and does it matter if it does?
It's a question that makes us think about the kind of communities we want to see, and how they can be sustained in a rapidly changing online world.
Two independent booksellers in England have launched a very well-supported petition attacking the online behemoth for its tax dodge under which it avoids paying corporation tax on UK profits by routing its sales through a subsidiary in Luxembourg. Experts estimate the total could be as much as £100 million, an amount, ironically, that could add something to the pot which funds the very public services all those box packers at Amazon's distribution centres use – or would, if they existed any more.
The booksellers point out that, unlike Amazon, they are paying their fair share of taxes – not to mention high street rents – and argue that this situation creates an uneven playing field that is driving bricks and mortar bookshops out of business. This is backed up by the UK Booksellers Association, which reports that since 2005, more than 500 independent bookshops have closed.
Scotland now has around 75 to 80 independent bookshops left. Do we want them to stay? Would we like to see more? In France President Francois Hollande has pledged to "fight all forms of unfair competition [from powerful international operators that] use tax advantages to crush bookshops". Tax breaks for booksellers in high rent town centres are likely to be announced on that side of the Channel.
Why should independent bookshops be given a tax break, or a lower rent? Because they're educational; they host hundreds of events; their links with schools; their community outreach; they offer advice; they aid discoverability; they help parents; they're a kind of sanctuary; they're not another phone shop.
Independent bookshops enhance towns. No-one says: "Let's go to St Boswells – they've got loads of cool estate agents there." But they might go because of Main Street Trading, just the sort of independent bookshop that can make physical shopping a pleasure.
As ever, some kind of balance is the answer. If you live in a remote location, or find getting out a problem, online is superb. But next time, why not try blackwell.co.uk, or waterstones.co.uk? That way you're supporting a UK taxpayer, and bricks and mortar too.
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