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An update

In the Winter Centre Page I mentioned the problems being experienced by STL (our major supplier & partner as a Crown Retailer) and several Christian book shops. It is with mixed feelings that I can now confirm that STL Distribution has been bought by John Ritchie, part of a charitable trust. Authentic Publishing and 8 of the Wesley Owen shops, - previously part of STL, and the Wesley Owen name –– have been sold to Koorong, based in Sydney, Australia. A further 6 Wesley Owen shops have been sold to CLC and it is hoped that the remaining 26 stores will continue, perhaps under local ownership.

How these changes will affect the rest of the Christian trade, including ourselves, remains to be seen but we would certainly value your continuing support and prayers as we find new ways of working. The future of our partnership with STL as a Crown Retailer and the web site will be a subject of much discussion over next few weeks but I want to assure you that our future as High Street shop is not in jeopardy! We will continue to serve the churches and Christian community in Horsham for as long as we are needed. New sources of supply are being found and, in most cases, we are still able to offer supply of books within a few days of ordering.

I want to reinforce my Winter message, especially in the light of these developments:

The future of local Christian bookshops lies in the hands of people like you. All we ask is for the opportunity to serve you.

Next time you go on line to buy a book, please consider – is the price of the saving of a few pounds worth the sacrifice of your local Christian bookshop and all it stands for?

Doug Fletcher

Time for reflection

For many, Christmas and the New Year is a time for reflection. As the busiest time of the year at The Centre draws to an end it will be a time for counting the cost; many of our hitherto regular customers have abandoned the idea of supporting their local Christian bookshop in favour of seeking a better deal on the internet. As Amazon goes from strength to strength, lining the pockets of corporation investors, Christian bookshops all over the country struggle to survive and, in too many cases, the struggle is lost and they are forced to close.

Does it matter? Should we accept the inevitable and find new ways to serve Our Lord in Horsham?

I sincerely believe it does matter and that the very visible witness of the unity of the church in Horsham is crucial as we fight against the secularisation of society. I believe it matters because of the lost and hurt people who come into The Centre seeking hope in the wake of bereavement or other difficulties. I believe it matters because churches and Christians need resources as they meet the challenges of the 21^st Century; the bookshop offers the opportunity to browse and to seek the advice of the experienced sales team.

The final SPCK shop closed recently amidst controversy about the way it was run in its final days. The surrounding publicity did nothing to enhance the image of the Christian retail trade but it did alert us to the risks we are all involved in. Britain’s largest distributor of Christian resources, IBS-STL (Biblica) is struggling to meet its financial commitments – the response from the trade, including their competitors, was a Day of Prayer for the whole Christian retail trade.

Next time you go on line to buy a book, please consider – is the price of the saving of a few pounds worth the sacrifice of your local Christian bookshop and all it stands for?

Doug Fletcher

Jesus – the reason for the season

As we approach Christmas the shops get busier and busier as everybody rushes around buying Christmas presents and cards.  Crown Books is no exception to this and we will, as usual, be able to supply gifts and cards which properly reflect the Christmas celebration.  All of our cards are sold in aid of charity – including, for the first time, the Bible Society.

We do have some chocolate Advent calendars but, unlike those you buy on the High Street, ours present the Nativity story.

So, this Advent & Christmas, please do call in and have a look at our increasingly varied range of gifts, cards, music on CD and DVD, films, Bibles & books.

If you are really stuck for a gift idea, why not give a Crown Books voucher which can be exchanged for any item in the bookshop?

Horsham Christmas Post

It is with a sense of sadness that we confirm that there will be no Horsham Christmas Post this year.  The scheme began in our 1^st year of business, 1994 and the following charities have benefited from the proceeds; a total of £21,843 has been raised.

West Sussex County Times Children’s Appeal; Horsham Christian Centre; Chase & Chestnut House (Children’s Hospices); Hospital Chapel; St Catherine’s Hospice; TACT; Oasis Pregnancy Advise; Horsham Debt Advice Service; Crawley Open House; Y-Centre; Sussex Air Ambulance; Rainbow Trust.

We give sincere thanks to all who have organised the service and those who have delivered the cards – some since the very first year.

Doug Fletcher