Final chapter for Book Exchange

Leonie Jane has always been a reader, spending most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book – and when her parents opened Bunbury Book Exchange, it was only fitting she joined the business.

But more than two decades on, Mrs Jane is preparing to close her beloved family-run business, and with it, the last independently owned book shop in Bunbury.

“Basically, it’s come to the end of our lease, so we needed to make a decision,” Mrs Jane said.

“It was going to be too expensive to stay on.”

Since the sign advertising a 40 per cent closing down sale went up, customers have wanted to know why the 31-year-old Bunbury business is shutting up shop.

“People just don’t seem to be doing much book buying anymore,” she said.

“You’ve got the general economic downturn which doesn’t really help at all and the new eBooks and Kindles which have taken away business.

“With the internet, you can sit in your lounge and buy a book from England and have it delivered to your door.

“Also, if you want to sell something, you can do it yourself, where as before people would bring me boxes of books after clearing out estates and that sort of thing.”

Bunbury Book Exchange is not alone. Worldwide, book shops are struggling in the face of online competition, the growing popularity of eBooks, established franchises and weak consumer confidence.

Rose and Leos, Plaza Book Exchange and Naturalist are among Bunbury operations to have shut down over the past 10 years.

According to Mrs Jane, after Christmas the only book shop left in Bunbury will be Collins Booksellers Bunbury.

“Without the backing of a franchise it’s hard to get a firm foot in the door,” she said.

“Shopping centres give preferences to franchises over the little people.”

She said it was also difficult to compete with discount variety stores which offered new release books at up to 40 per cent less than the recommended retail price.

The Bunbury Book Exchange will have its last day of trading on October 16.

“I have considered working online – it’s a further step down the line and I am just not sure at this point,” she said.

“I just want to thank our loyal customers.”

Leonie Jane reflects on the tough decision to close Bunbury Book Exchange.