I’ve recently been lamenting the lack of any decent blogging fodder so I cheered up no end when presented with a little gift this morning courtesy of breakfast news: the urge to share proved irresistible.
Steve Bloom, an independent second-hand bookseller from Hawes, a tiny village in the Yorkshire Dales, hit national headlines this week because he dares to charge people 50p to browse in his shop, Bloomindales. (Get it? Bloom–in–Dales? The story gets better).
Steve generously offers to refund the browsing fee should a purchase ensue but the local parish council are up in arms because, according to various media reports, they have had twenty complaints in four years (good grief, how do they cope?) about Mr Bloom’s rudeness when customers refuse to cough up. He even called one man ‘a pain in the arse.’ Amazingly, opinion on this earth shattering news is divided. Some folk seem outraged that a nominal fee is required – haven’t they ever been to a craft fair? Here in Surrey it’s quite usual for a £10 entry fee to be charged – and there’s no refund under any circumstances, not even if you clear the knitted animal stall right out.
Now dubbed the Basil Fawlty of booksellers and the rudest shopkeeper in Britain, Mr Bloom can probably look forward to celebrity status and a long line of customers just waiting to be insulted. After all, there are now Fawlty Towers themed events which command top dollar. Why not Bloomin’ Bad-tempered Books?
Should we be expected to pay-to-browse? Mr Bloom has conceded to a sign on his door detailing his 50p eccentricity. Is it eccentric? Perhaps he’s just brilliant at marketing and all this adverse publicity will get the punters pouring in. I do hope so.
So – what do you think? While you’re making up your mind, here’s a bit of vintage Basil to remind us all of what it is to be British. Enjoy!
I don’t think I’d be too happy about having to pay to check the shops inventory. On the other hand I recognize it’s a little different checking socks versus sitting down, having a quiet read then shuffling off again. Perhaps he could set up a browsing corner where you pay to sit and read. The fee may encourage people to purchase an item.
I can imagine on a wet chilly day in the Dales in August it would be quite tempting to stop in a bookstore to warm up, dry off and have a little read before heading off for a plowman’s or afternoon tea.
Perhaps Mr Bloom could consider adding a café option.
I’m all for keeping the independent businesses going so wouldn’t mind forking out 50p in advance of a purchase. I bet he doesn’t charge regulars who buy often. Living in such a picturesque area is bound to draw in tourists who would act in just the way you describe. I’d be pretty fed up with having to hoover up bits of limestone pavement left behind after a load of hiking boots had tramped over my carpet.
I think the cafe option would be met with scathing disapproval – it’s what Waterstones (largest national bookseller) started doing to get customers in. Now their stores are filled with pushchairs and yummy mummies and serious browsers can’t get near the books 😀😀
We have an independent bookseller in Winnipeg who created a ‘destination’ store with a cafe at one end. Always full. They bring in local jazz groups eyc in eveneingd.
Oops. Sent before ready. They also have a corner for authors to give readings. But there is plenty of space among the book shelves to browse with a few comfortable chairs for a more lengthy stay.
They have been able to compete quite well against the big guys.
This sounds like a great place. Probably a jazz band too far for Mr Bloom, though😀
And another thing. Why would people complain to the parish council? Sounds like a job fir the town council or the Chamber of Commerce Only in England – perfect title
Thanks. The Mr Blooms of this world keep our country’s reputation alive!
I’ll often see people parked in Barnes and Noble (a large retail bookstore) reading for an hour or more and then put the book back on the shelf. I don’t think that should be allowed. I certainly don’t want to purchase a book after someone’s germ riddled pals have been all over it. As for browsing, I wouldn’t pay a fee. I can do that for free on Amazon. Happy New Year, Jenny!
Yes, people do that here. I wouldn’t go that far but I do like a good browse. I like to look at covers and titles that interest me . Then I read the first couple of paragraphs, then I open the book to a random page and read a bit more. If the writing style appeals, I’ll buy the book. I never go by the customer reviews on Amazon as I don’t think they are genuine although I do buy from them sometimes – it’s so exciting getting a parcel of books at the door!
Remember the days of browsing magazines in Smiths?
But bookshops aren’t the same.
So no. Big no.
I’m surprised. I thought you’d be flying the flag for the small independents. I’d pay if I wanted to rummage in his shop – especially if a refund was in the offing😉
I saw that too and just loved the ‘Basil’ aspect to it. I do have some sympathy with him – so often people spend ages browsing in store only to go home and order online from somewhere else. Too much of that behaviour and there’ll be nowhere left to browse! As an aside I thought his shop looked a right mess and I wouldn’t want to browse there anyway.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. And I’m as guilty of buying from Amazon as everyone else. But I do love a browse when I’ve got the time so I am on Mr Bloom’s side. His shop did look a mess so I too might be put off but if I was looking for something specific that was out of print…who knows?
The country needs its Basils😄
I think it fair enough. On the other hand, people could go to the local library and browse all day. In Brussels, which we know is the culinary capital of the world, many restaurants offer morsels of their food for free outside on the pavements.
It depends on the civility of the customers. Yorkshire Dale book buyers might be a bit thin on the ground. It that the problem?
That’s very true, Gerard, although many libraries in Britain have been closed down due to lack of funding. Perhaps serious book buyers are thin on the ground in a small village that relies on tourism. But I’d get hacked off with a load of hikers tramping through my shop to get out of the rain, smelling of Kendal Mint Cake and leaving muddy footprints with no intention of buying anything!
I sympathize with retailers these days … people browsing items in shops and then going out and buying online. It is a big problem.
Not only in England.
Yes it’s so hard to compete. The high street Christmas trading figures here were generally well down on last year. It’s a worry. Shopping is becoming another thing we do behind closed doors and another opportunity for social interaction is seeping away. Life in 50 years will be so boring!
This made me laugh! And no, I wouldn’t pay to enter his shop. That said I am not one to look through books in a bookshop other than read the blurb on the back or inside cover. Unless it is a children’s book and then I confess to reading those – just to check suitability for the recipient you understand.
Absolutely Jude!
And hey, you didn’t go to spam so I think you’re back in the blog world. Happy New Year 😉
Phew! Thank goodness. It’s miserable in spam prison. No-one feeds you cookies.
He reminds me more of the fellow in ‘Black Books’ than Basil Fawlty, but – no matter. It’s his shop so I guess he can make up the rules as he sees fit. It would be wise to have a sign on the door though, forewarned being forearmed and all that. English eccentricity at its best (or do I mean worst?) 🙂
I’m impressed b y the fact that many of my favourite bloggers have put in an appearance today after prolonged bouts of silence. I’m going to try hard to be a tiny bit regular this year……..
Pauline – I have a confession to make: I’ve never watched Black Books. I know it’s remiss of me because Bill Bailey is in it and I love him. So a DVD to add to my wish list, I think😉
Eccentricity at its best. Where else would a story like this take up prime time news coverage. I think he can do what he likes. And if serious browsers want to help keep independents like Bloomindales alive they shouldn’t mind contributing. 😊
I have a feeling you might very much enjoy BB – let me know if I’m wrong. I live in a university town and the second hand book shops are closing down left right and centre – even those that cater for the students. So who can blame him for doing what he’s gotta do to keep the place alive!
Agree! The DVD is on my wish list. I’ll be sure to report back😉
He IS like the guy in Black Books. Maybe he doesn’t want to sell the books to awful people. I guess if it was a good store and I was local, I wouldn’t mind 50p if it gets taken off what I buy. Hmmm. He’s probably trying to keep out riffraff. O what he thinks is riffraff. Or people who ask to many questions and don’t buy anything. Bottom line: he sounds a bit of a character.
See my reply above to Pauline re Black Books. I’m hanging my head in shame😀
I have to admit that, on the odd occasion I’ve done a car boot sale, I’ve resisted selling things to someone who I thought wouldn’t look after it. How mad is that. I do the sale to get rid of stuff I don’t want.
Characters are what we like. They generate amusement and conversation. Go, Steve Bloom!
Hilarious, Jenny! I’m so pleased you shared this story. I love that he only got 4 complaints in 20 years. Why did they wait that long to do something about it! I love the name of his store – very clever. I don’t mind a pun or two. I guess if people don’t want to pay the 50p to browse, then they don’t have to browse. He can sell or market what he likes. It’s up to the consumer to choose.
Thanks for sharing Basil. I love Fawlty Towers. What gems came out of that series. I wish there had been more.
I definitely am all for puns. Usually they’re clever in their simplicity- and sometimes so subtle that they go unnoticed. I think it was wise of Mr Bloom to agree to a sign forwarning potential customers. He’s got all the publicity he needs now for a while. Way to go, Bloomindales!
Yay! Good on him. You gave him lots of international publicity as well. 🙂
All publicity etc.
Reminded me of my jewellery selling days; often got “customers” who tried on everything, and I mean everything, and then told me they could buy it cheaper in Argos.
It was part of the day, and made for many of the laughs between stallholders.
Argos! What a cheek. Still, at least you got a laugh out of them…and a few good types to base story characters on, I bet!
I think he is quite right, and while he is at it he could charge for thumb prints left on the books browsers have come in to read.
Haha! I agree! I give a lot of my paperbacks to our local secondhand book store and they are always in pristine condition….not a finger mark in sight!
Not much different from my local Costco, where I pay an annual “membership fee” of around $120CDN for the privilege to shop there…
Well, when you look at it like that…
Happy New Year, Maurice 🍾🥂🍾🥂
I love Fawlty Towers! 🙂 And the shop owner? Good for him! If he wants to charge a browsing fee, then he should. Over the years, I’ve paid all kinds of fees for the “privilege” of browsing and/or purchasing, including, as the previous commentator says, at Costco. That council needs to calm down or find something better to do than pick. On second thought, maybe they should get out more, and pick some trash. 😉
Yes, much better use of their time – well done Lynette! And who couldn’t love Fawlty Towers? It’s a classic😉
Good story. It could have been the bookshop in Orwell’s ‘Keep the Aspidistra Flying.’
Gosh, there’s a title from way back! I’m going to have to revisit it Roy as I can’t remember the story…another one for the book pile😊
I saw this too Jenny and I don’t know where my sympathies lie – at the end of the day it’s his shop and he’s paying the rent so I guess he can do what he wants and people don’t have to pay it – though I did see an interview where he said he gave the money to charity…
Ah…I didn’t see that. Well, it makes sense. I’m sure he’s not as evil as the tabloids would have us believe – and quite right – his shop, his rules 😉
Love this. I would pay 50p to check out a bookstore if I knew the proprietor was like Basil Fawlty! I’d even pay if I knew it was super-special bookstore. This guy should get his store to be part of one of the Yorkshire coach day trips out of York! 😉
Thanks Jane. I love your idea of incorporating his shop into a coach tour. Well, they do one to the location where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed, so why not? This man could be an absolute asset to his local council😀
For sure. We took one of these day trips to the coast when we were there in 2014. Stops included a tiny village of Harry Potter fame and another place where we were encouraged to browse. This bookstore could clean up, and any nearby Cafe as well! 🙂
He sounds a bit obsessive which manifests itself strangely socially… for some reason I often find myself managing slightly older men who are like this at work. Or maybe it’s just that there are a lot of people like this.
He’s definitely of a type, Denise. And there are definitely more around than you’d first notice. It’s interesting at school to recognise types and personality traits so early…you get to know how they will most likely end up😀
Oh Jenny, I laughed out loud reading your post…your humour is so great, just what I needed to read today, thank you! Ha, I think you’re right, he’ll become the new Basil of Books and probably make a fortune! The Fawlty Towers clip is, of course, timeless, never fails to make me laugh. This still has me giggling,… ‘and there’s no refund under any circumstances, not even if you clear the knitted animal stall right out.’ Classic Jenny, love it! I’m not sure what to think about him charging 50p. Would I pay it? I don’t know, but then if I did, I might be more inclined to actually buy a book rather than browse, so I can see why he got the idea. Great post Jenny, so glad you found blogging inspiration thanks to Mr Bloom 🙂 xxx
Haha, dear Sherri – you’ve obviously been to the same craft fairs as me! Who buys those knitted creatures?
I reckon Mr Bloom is a very canny shopkeeper – just look at all the publicity he’s generating 😀
We re-watch Fawlty Towers regularly in our family, and when Son was younger it was almost an obsession. I think he knew the whole script 😄😄
Haha…oh Jenny, we would have such a laugh hanging out at those craft fairs. Not to mention watching Fawlty Towers. So glad we’re not the only ones who go around reciting lines from the shows!!!! 😀 Hope you’re having a good week my friend…I’m on the backhoof, as per…but I will be in touch! 🙂 xxx
I love “Fawlty Towers” and have watched it on our Columbus, Ohio PBS channel in its reruns for years. I am not sure if it is appropriate to say here but I love Monty Python films which have hilarious storylines and tongue firmly placed in cheek.
I have hope for shopkeepers who are brave and choose independent places with a rule or ten applied. Our antique shops require children to be accompanied with adult. We have shops that ask for backpacks to wait on the check out counter. Most have a few other suggestions but I relate to their rules and tell my grandkids they need to stay right next to me and never touch anything. Except books at bookstores, if they aren’t in plastic sleeves.
I hope this man gets famous and is supported more than put down. Thanks, Jenny for your recent kind and warm comments. Life is still hectic around here. How’s yours going and will we be seeing a get together with your friend on a trip into London or over the hills and dales in the countryside? 🙂 hugs xo
Oh yes, big Monty Python fans here too😀
Quite right – shops can impose whatever rules they like, Mr Bloom is just taking it a stage further. I think storing backpacks so that people can browse without causing mayhem is an excellent idea…all museums and art galleries offer that service, so why not shops?
Yes, hectic here too…lots of work and students to sort out. Hopefully a few outings in the not too distant future- once the weather improves too! 😉
Oh, I saw you are studying Shakespeare in your classes. I believe it was on Pauline’s blog. Thanks for sharing your fan base of Monty Python. I like the “Holy Grail” as well as “Life of Brian.” 🙂
A great idea to add the Basil of Faulty Towers to your thoughts!
Thank you! Can’t resist a bit of Basil!
why not? It’s his shop, right? Eccentric people are the best kind!
But, then it’s my prerogative to avoid his shop, if I don’t want to hang out with his grouchiness.
Of course, it’s not that hard to avoid, when it’s half of North America + the whole Atlantic away!
Whoohoo! Hi Tracy! We’ve all missed you. How lovely to hear from you again. Hope you’ll be staying awhile xoxo
“Bloomingdales” = excellent name! My feeling is, if he wants to charge it, go ahead and if it affects his sales, it’s his own fault. I live in America and pretty any time I shop in a bookstore, people are sitting and openly reading books as if it is a library. As a fellow shopper, it doesn’t bother me unless they are blocking the aisles. Although, I think if I owned a store, this blatant use of the merchandise, would drive me nuts, so if this is his reaction to that, I understand. Personally, I wouldn’t dare use a bookstore as if it was a library. When I’m browsing, I always read the back cover and if that catches my interest, I will read the first paragraph, maybe a page, to make up my mind. I’d never just start reading without purchasing.
I think his grumpiness is a whole other issue. It made me think of Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi” episode. But again, if that’s the way he wants to run his shop…
Hello there! I choose a book like you…read the back jacket, read the first paragraph and possibly a random one from halfway through the book and if I like what I read, I buy it! I’m amazed when I see people settling down as if a bookshop is a library. Just as bad are those folk who read magazines cover to cover in a newsagents 😄
This article was a good read, Jenny! This is definitely food for thought!
Why, thank you kindly for stopping by and commenting. Glad you enjoyed!
Very funny, as usual, Jenny. I love it. My favorite part amongst all the other funny things, is the clearing out of the knitted animals. A joy to read.
Too kind, Hollis. We’re obviously on the same wavelength 😉😆