Community pledges more than £150,000 to help save Banstead bookshop

Within days of The Ibis Bookshop announcing its closure at the start of the month a campaign was launched to buy the property at 109 High Street.

It was started by customer Jason Hill who said ‘this can’t happen’ and came up with the idea of buying the freehold through crowdfunding and then renting it back to the Ibis.

The idea spread by word of mouth and through social media. Just nine days later people had pledged £150,000 in share commitments.

But a total of 4,000 people need to purchase £100 stakes in order to raise £400,000 in the next two months to save the bookshop.

At the bookshop on Friday, owner Linda Jones, explained they have been struggling to survive because of high rent and people buying books online through Amazon.

Ms Jones said: "I’m overwhelmed and humbled and absolutely in awe of the people who want to save this bookshop.

"We announced the closure. I put the notice in the window after a weekend of tears and decision-making.

"Even if it does not happen, I will go away with that memory and it will be an enriching experience for me."

Ms Jones said: "If we get there it will be fantastic, but in the meantime I have to go through the process of selling the lease."

She said even if they save the bookshop, readers have to be educated to buy books from independent bookshops instead of Amazon.

She said: "They really need that. That’s what we need to do more than anything."

In a conversation with customers, including Jenny Sanders, she said: "It makes people realise how important your community is because if you don’t support it, it will be gone.

"And that’s when people will say it’s a great shame."

Ms Sanders, who grew up in Banstead and now lives in Bath, came into the stop to write down her memories in a book on display.

She said: "It’s a piece of my childhood. It’s like something out of a book, which is quite appropriate. Its closure is desperately sad."

Jenny Sanders, who fondly remembers the bookshop from her childhood

Bernadette Oxley, who is buying a stake in the bookshop, said: "It’s more than a bookshop. It really is the heart of the community.

"Linda does not realise her own worth but I don’t think anyone else was surprised at the support."

She said: "If the bookshop closes, there will be a lot of unhappy children. They get made to feel special here."

Bernadette Oxley stands next to a book of memories

Banstead Village councillors Eddy Humpheys and Sam Walsh have both agreed to buy stakes in the bookshop.

Coun Walsh said: "It’s a great idea. Having a bookshop in Banstead is something as a community we cannot afford to lose."

Jenny Sanders' comment in the book

To make a pledge visit the bookshop or call 01737 353 260.

Or send a message to the Banstead High Street Facebook group.