Writers Try to Save the Bookshop Featured in Notting Hill Movie

Posted on August 29, 2011

Remember the bookshop that Hugh Grant's character owned in the 1999 movie Notting Hill? Many people are quite upset that the bookstore is closing. It has been for sale since May, and its last day of business will be September 8th. The owner lives in France, and his children don't want to take it over. The store is running at a loss.

It's a bit late, but some writers have banded together to try to find a buyer for the store. Poet and writer Simon Barraclough, screenwriter Richard Curtis, Olivia Cole, Alec Baldwin are all supporting the cause, and helping to find a buyer. Simon and other British writers have offered to work a day for free at the store to help out.

Here's a clip from the film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts:

A Telegraph story says the store is going to close despite becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction in London. The article says writers have even offered to work for free to save the shop.

The Financial Times' Harry Mount has no sympathy for the closure. He says that independent bookstores are a thing of the past. Given the current dismal global economy, "intellectual luxuries, such as undiscounted books, are out." He says if the independents want to survive, they will have to offer something ebooks and book discounters do not. But he didn't mention what that might be.

Update: The bookshop was saved and remains in business today. The L.A. Times reports that it sometimes has to brace for a rush of engagements inspired by the film. The bookshop can be found online, thenottinghillbookshop.co.uk. You can also follow the store on Twitter, @NottingHillBook.

The shop is officially open for another year full of books! We’ve got lots of fun bookish things planned for 2018, so be sure to keep an eye on this space! 📚❤️ pic.twitter.com/oxvRlbGhCq

— The Notting Hill Bookshop (@NottingHillBook) January 2, 2018