Philip Pullman and Maggie O’Farrell among authors urging Burnham to cut business rates on bookshops
Guardian AU Business
•Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:25:12 GMT
📰 What Happened
More than a dozen prominent authors, including Philip Pullman, Maggie O'Farrell, Katherine Rundell and Elif Shafak, have backed a Booksellers Association campaign urging the government to extend business rates relief to bookshops. A total of 234 independent booksellers signed an open letter calling for the same treatment recently granted to pubs, clubs and live music venues, which are getting a 20 percent business rates reduction from April 2027.
🔍 The Backstory
The campaign follows the government's announcement of a 20 percent reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from April 2027. Independent booksellers say rising bills - on top of high-street pressures - could force some shops to close, and they are asking that bookshops be recognised for their positive community role in the same way.
🎯 Why It Matters
The dispute is part of a broader policy debate about how to support bricks-and-mortar retail on the high street, where independent shops face high fixed costs and competition from online sellers. Whether bookshops receive rates relief will affect the survival of independent cultural retailers and the vibrancy of town centres.
More than a dozen prominent authors, including Philip Pullman, Maggie O'Farrell, Katherine Rundell and Elif Shafak, have backed a Booksellers Association campaign urging the government to extend business rates relief to bookshops. A total of 234 independent booksellers signed an open letter calling for the same treatment recently granted to pubs, clubs and live music venues, which are getting a 20 percent business rates reduction from April 2027.
The campaign follows the government's announcement of a 20 percent reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from April 2027. Independent booksellers say rising bills - on top of high-street pressures - could force some shops to close, and they are asking that bookshops be recognised for their positive community role in the same way.
The dispute is part of a broader policy debate about how to support bricks-and-mortar retail on the high street, where independent shops face high fixed costs and competition from online sellers. Whether bookshops receive rates relief will affect the survival of independent cultural retailers and the vibrancy of town centres.