Many at a loss for words as century-old bookshop closes

Swindon, a 102-year-old English bookstore, will shut down its brick-and-mortar outlet in Tsim Sha Tsui tomorrow and move its operations online following rental disputes.

"We are closing a door and opening a window. Swindon is moving online," the bookstore on Lock Road posted on Facebook yesterday.

Swindon, which opened its business in Hong Kong in 1918, offers books such as academic textbooks, children's literature and magazines.

The bookstore is closing its doors at 8pm, but two associated companies - Hong Kong Book Centre and Kelly & Walsh - will continue to operate.

Swindon showed its appreciation to customers, writing: "We deeply appreciate all your support over the years and we are truly honored to have spent time with you at retail."

Some commented on the post that they had spent a lot time there as children.

"We'll miss the brick-and-mortar shop - one of my favorite hangouts in my teens," one web user wrote.

In May, the bookstore was sued by one of its proprietors for rent arrears and asked to have the unit back. The proprietor said no rent had been received since June 2016.

The bookstore was said to have promised to move out in April 2017, but it has continued to occupy the unit.

The proprietor asked the court to issue an order for the bookstore to not only vacate the premises, but to also pay back the accumulated rent arrears, which it said amounted to more than HK$3.71 million.

Several bookstores have closed in recent years. Singaporean chains Popular and Page One closed all of their stores across Hong Kong in May and 2016 respectively. Metrobooks did the same in 2018.

The publishing industry has been troubled by the national security law.

Breakazine, a publication under Breakthrough, has suspended publication until next year. Its July edition - entitled "Dangerous Reading," which discussed the security law - has been put on hold.

To allow "more time to gain understanding of the law's implementation," the magazine has also decided to put its October edition on hold. "There is uncertainty on the understanding of the implementation of the new law, and we hope to protect all co-participants," Breakazine wrote on Facebook.

It said it will continue to update its social media accounts and website.

cissy.so@singtaonewscorp.com