High
street vitality and viability has been a long-standing topic in UK
research and policy debates. While the presence and role of the
independent retailer is discussed in the associated academic literature,
specific consideration of independent bookstores has been
lacking, given their perceived position as a special type of retailer
within the high street ecosystem. There is, to date, very limited
knowledge regarding booksellers’ contributions to high street vitality
and viability. We explore the role(s) of booksellers by demonstrating
how they can help drive the vitality and viability of their high streets
in the UK and Ireland – identifying booksellers as social entrepreneurs, value co-creators, multifunctional initiators and speciality anchors.
As such, their placemaking activities extend far beyond retailing. We
argue that by assuming such innovative roles, placemaking efforts
undertaken by booksellers can catalyse town centre transformation and
contribute to revitalisation.
