Hi Nerds.
I haven't posted for a while. In fact I haven't posted for 12 days. Sadly been busy with other things including some reading and writing.
I've been prompted to blog due to the news today, that WH Smiths are wanting to sell off their high street stores.
This is another huge blow for the high street plus also for nerds like me, who likes physical books and magazines.
My past relationship with WH Smiths -
When I was younger I loved going into a WH Smiths. Much as I love going into Waterstones now.
There were a big selection of books back in the 1980s and 1990s. I even bought one of my first fantasy novels in Halifax WH Smiths. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams.
Over the years I've bought many books and magazines and comics from them. When I was in my pre-teens I bought a variety of comics you don't see now including Transformers comic, Dandy, Buster and Topper.
I then progressed in my teens and early twenties to buying magazines. These included sci-fi magazines SFX and Sci-fi Now, to Mens Health and the old lad mags like FHM and Loaded.
In my mid to late twenties I refound my joy of writing and started getting Writing Magazine. Now the only magazine I still buy monthly.
In the 1990s and early 2000s WH Smiths were the owners of Waterstones and had a great selection of books.
Slow downfall of WH Smith's -
In the mid 2000s when the internet started being more popular it spelled bad news, even back then. My favourite magazines started to stop. There were less magazines and books for sale.
Gradually each year I visited I bought less and less as prices also went up and the magic of the stores dwindled.
This has been evident, even before Covid, when in 2016 some WH Smith's stores also started sharing the store with Post Offices. Like the one in Halifax.
Even the big stores I visited like York and Leeds seemed to have less selection.
I have applied for jobs at the Halifax store a few times over the last few years and had do do tests regarding customer service.
Sadly some of the younger staff may have cheated as they are too busy chatting or moving things about to serve. Maybe I'm just turning into an old moaning bastard?
What happens next? -
Well there may not be any effect for a while. Someone could buy the brand and keep them open.
Some or sadly all could shut for good.
Consequences -
I'm worried about the magazine and some smaller book publishers.
Some weekends WH Smith's had an independent author sat at the front selling books and signing. Although that hasn't happened for a while.
Even though most magazines have online versions there's nothing better than holding paper copies and I fear if WH Smiths do close, then the niche magazines including the one I buy every month - Writing Magazine - may be at risk.
There's so many types of magazines they sell from pet magazines to warship magazines and even Warhammer magazine, which will be affected as I can't think of many newsagents which have such a variety.
WH Smiths main rival would probably be McColls. Sadly you don't see them much either.
Finally -
It is a sad day for nerds, the high street and WH Smith's and their employees.
They will survive in airports and hospitals but the knock on effect will probably be huge.
I just hope Waterstones survives this trend of high street closures. The upcoming budget won't help matters although Waterstones are more focused on the book side. Most have the advantage of the cafes and author events and book clubs.
We will have to wait and see what happens....
Check the link below regarding the news of WH Smiths.
Neil
