London's New Beacon Books, the U.K.'s first specialist Black bookshop, has been saved from closing its physical store after a dramatic crowdfunding effort that has thus far raised more than £73,000 (almost $100,000) in a brief period. The Guardian reported that the bookstore, which opened in 1966 "and staved off the threat of closure as recently as 2016," announced last month that financial pressures would force the business to shutter its Finsbury Park location and move online only.
"The New Beacon bookshop exists as far more than just a bookshop. It is an invaluable institution of black history that is needed now more than ever," said Francesca Gilbert, a campaigner who helped to organize the crowdfunder. "It is a crucial cultural space rich with the affirmation, validation and celebration of black literature, culture and art that must be preserved.... As a young mixed-race Caribbean woman of color, I never feel more affirmed and held than I do when I spend an afternoon at the New Beacon bookshop surrounded by the work of writers who uplift black voices and stories. It is a second home, a heartbeat and a legacy that we must protect now and in the years to come."
In a statement posted on the bookseller's website, Michael La Rose, director of New Beacon Books, wrote, in part: "New Beacon Books is hugely encouraged by the community's response to its needs and willingness to donate funds to enable New Beacon Books to survive and grow. The Crowdfunding appeal initiated by Francesca Gilbert and other young supporters who grew up with New Beacon Books is just amazing and New Beacon Books is grateful to them for that."
Future goals mentioned included using some of the funds to meet the company's immediate needs, "establishing a New Beacon Development Fund (NBDF) to receive monies raised with a governing body comprised mainly of those young supporters"; and potentially "acquiring alternative premises, large enough to accommodate publishing, bookselling, writers in residence, public programs and community events consonant with the aims and mission of New Beacon Books, and adapted appropriately to engage with current challenges facing Black Britain and the society generally."
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| Peter Usborne | |
Publisher Peter Usborne, founder and managing director of Usborne Publishing; novelist Anthony Horowitz; and food writer Claudia Roden were awarded CBEs in the U.K.'s New Year's Honors list, with other awards going to authors Adele Parks (MBE), Onjali Q. Raúf (MBE) and Ann Cleeves (OBE), the Bookseller reported.
Usborne, whose CBE came a decade after his MBE in 2011, said: "This second award, like the first MBE several years ago, is really not for me, but for my marvelous staff. If I could cut it into 280 pieces and give it out to all of them, I would. They've given me the best life and the best company I could imagine. Thanks to all of them for everything."
Other book trade honors recipients this year included author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers (MBE), The Reading Agency CEO Karen Napier (MBE) and Bradford Literature Festival co-founders Syima Aslam and Irna Qureshi (MBEs). The Bookseller noted that MBEs also went to Dr. Robert Perks, lead curator of oral history and director of national life stories at the British Library; and David Smith, chair of the Community Managed Libraries Network.
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New Year's wishes from the American Book Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands: "It has been another difficult year for many people, but that doesn't mean we have to lose hope and can't look forward to a new year that is better than the one before. We at the ABC share this wish with all of you and hope from the bottom of our hearts that this will become a reality in 2022. Happy New Year to all our friends, family and especially you, our loyal customers, who helped us through these trying times." --Robert Gray