Unfortunately, our bookstore chain never survived. The company went into liquidation and all 41 stores closed. Twenty-six of our branches went into administration and the remaining fifteen were sold off to various Christian retailers. It is sad that in many towns, there are hardly any more Christian bookshops on the high street.
Customers can no longer catch a piece of peace at lunchtime. It was more than just hearing uplifting songs as you entered a shop.
It was about relationships, caring, listening, understanding, encouraging and promising to pray for those who were feeling anxious. It was about asking after someone’s welfare and rejoicing with them when their prayers were answered.
It was about recommending certain titles and giving advice when you thought something was appropriate for their needs.
It was about letting them feel it was their second home by providing a state-of-the-art coffee machine and a comfy corner for them to relax, with no pressure that they had to leave.
It was about letting them sing loudly and out-of-tune, at the listening post.
It was about having the opportunity to connect with non-Christian delivery drivers, postmen and people wandering in off the street looking for directions.
It was about being able to display the word of the Lord in a public window and getting to know people from all different walks of life and denominations.
It was about giving the gospel to those with no hope and comforting those who had no money to buy anything, but just visited us because they were broken.
You cannot get any of that online.
As I write these last few lines of my journey back in time, we are in the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic. All over the world, most high street shops are closed. Many will never re-open. For those that do, I fear that any remaining Christian bookshops will not be among them.
My own church has a bookshop not far from the town centre and I am praying that with a large coffee shop attached, it will be one that remains available to the public forever.
But for now, I have reached the end of my journey. Thank you for travelling with me. I have laughed and cried and laughed again.
I am putting down my pen and sending you best wishes as I say goodbye…
for…
…Jemima has no more bibles to sell, and I have no more tales to tell.
