About me: I am an employee of Waterstones previously known as ottakars.
The recent acquisition of ottakars has left a lot of people in the book industry somewhat disappointed. Customers too have been saddened by the news that the big W owned by HMV have bought out the award winning book chain bringing to an end a specialist bookseller with a REAL love for books from the booksellers right up to head office and James Henage.
Waterstones dogged determination to drive profits seems to be compromising the choice readers have due to the deep discounting of a narrow range of titles.
As a powerful empire waterstones now have huge influence over what gets published and more importantly what people read.
In the long run this is a potentially deadly concoction when you consider that good literature is pushed to the back seat in favour of aggressive deep discounting of celebrity autobiographies and pop literature.
Publishers and local authors will be hit hard and will be likely to face loss of profits and closures. This in turn down the road will affect choice for the local customers.
These fears were addressed by a majority within the industry before the takeover took place. You can view the letters on - http://www.competition-commission.org.uk
Now it has happened we have less power unless we choose to pass on our views democratically to the hierarchy of waterstones.
The past month the so called merger has taken place. Booksellers have found trusted resources and systems taken away in exchange for waterstones rigid systems which do not allow autonomy.The freedom of expression for booksellers has been effectivly diminished . Customers will suffer from this. Trainers have bombarded staff with methods that suggest the brand is more important than book. Every store should look and be the same inside.
Memos from director Gerry johnson are sent to staff once a week With only the one subject matter. Profit. No mention of staff well being or books.
MD Gerry Johnson himself has no real experience in books our area manager too has no experience. The commodisation of books i know.
The vibes have been far from positive. Messages to customers proclaiming that everything is still the same is disingenuous. Alot has changed.
I and i know others feel like giving up venting our rage some how, well this is the place to do it. My anger is not towards waterstones shop staff but to waterstones senior executives who seem to care more about the money.
Okay let’s say I have got some points wrong fair enough. This site will encourage dialogue from anyone who cares with an aim to open up lines of contact between old ottakars employees and even customers.
There is much I have left out of this brief introduction but I hope people’s discontent can be channelled into direct action if we really want to.
We can chose to shut up or leave if we are unhappy. But when we are dealing with something as beautiful and important as literature being exploited, it is more than a job it is a moral obligation for all those who love books.
Book people lets unite and help make a small positive change.
The Movement.
Signed Anonymous.
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Who I'd like to meet: People who are concerned with the belligerent nature so far of this takeover.
From the fellow bookseller’s waterstones and ottakars. To publishers, journalist’s, and customers. Feel free to express your views. Thankyou.
We hope to be in contact with press if we do get support.
If you wish to post an article on this site, contact me at ottakars@hotmail.co.uk.
