The Weekly Book Newsletter understands that independent bookstore Avid Reader in Brisbane's West End sent its staff home yesterday but has opened today. Staff are currently moving stock from low shelves and clearing space on the upper floor in preparation for drastic measures.
Riverbend Books in Bulimba, also an independent store, has closed its doors. The store tweeted to its followers this morning that it will remain closed today and tomorrow due to flooding.
Folio Books, which is located on Albert Street in the Brisbane CBD, posted a notice on its Facebook page today saying that the store is currently closed. 'Our doors will be open again as soon as humanly possible,' said the post.
The Weekly Book Newsletter understands that ABC stores in Carindale, Chermside, Brisbane, Mt Gravatt and Toowoomba have closed. It is understood that the stores are not in immediate danger from flooding but the decision to cease trading was made because of concerns for staff members travelling to and from work.
A number of REDgroup Retail stores have also been closed. A spokesperson for the company told the Weekly Book Newsletter this morning that the Borders and Angus & Robertson (A&R) stores in the Brisbane CBD have been closed due to electricity restrictions in the area. A&R stores in Gympie, Indooroopilly, Ipswitch, Redbank and Toowong are also closed. The Mt Ommaney A&R store had closed its doors but has reopened today.
The spokesperson said that there has not been any physical damage to A&R stores at this time, with the exception of damage to some stock at the Bundaberg A&R store, which remains open. There were concerns, however, for the safety of staff members travelling to and from work. The spokesperson also said that flood waters are having an impact on freight movements to and from the stores.
Dymocks chief executive Don Grover told the Weekly Book Newsletter this morning that Dymocks stores in the Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, North Lakes and Toowoomba are currently closed.
'Our thoughts are with all our franchise owners and their families as they battle with these extraordinary floods,' said Grover. 'At this stage we have had no stock losses but we do expect some damage to fixtures and fittings especially if the Brisbane CBD flood level predicted is met.'
'I would also like to congratulate our franchise owners and Neville James our local regional manager for their efforts and continue to offer our support in any way we can,' said Grover.
The Weekly Book Newsletter understands that the Collins store in Gympie has decided to close, with the centre in which the store is located at danger of flooding over the next few days. The Weekly Book Newsletter also understands that McGills stores in the Brisbane CBD and South Bank TAFE have closed.
Academic booksellers The Co-op Bookshop have annonced today that all their Queensland stores are currently closed except for the Southern Cross University store on the Gold Coast.
There are also serious concerns about Mary Ryan's Books in Milton.
The Queensland Writers' Centre (QWC) and the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) have also been affected. The Weekly Book Newsletter understands that the Centre was evacuated at midday yesterday and the building's car park is now under water. Staff members are uncertain, however, if the flood waters will reach Level 1 of the building.
The Weekly Book Newsletter also understands that the University of Queensland Press (UQP) offices have closed for the remainder of the week.
Chief executive officer of the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) Joel Becker told the Weekly Book Newsletter this morning that he encourages bookstores in affected areas to keep in contact with the ABA if they are able to.
'We have all been shocked by the images and news coming out of Queensland. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the floods: friends, family and colleagues,' said Becker.
'We wish our Queensland bookselling colleagues well in getting through the next few days, and then recovering from these dreadful circumstances. Those who are able to should keep us informed about how they are doing, and we will do our best to help in any way we can,' said Becker.
Becker also said that the ABA will be contributing $1000 to the Queensland Flood Relief Fund.
'We encourage all our bookseller members to dig deep in supporting the flood relief appeals that have begun,' said Becker.
No comments:
Post a Comment