Supporters of a long- standing town bookshop have drawn up a rescue plan to save it from closure.
Illuminate Christian bookshop and cafe, which has been serving customers for over five decades from its premises on Wyle Cop, could close at the end of the month after owners Phil Whittall and Jeremy Taylor, reported big losses.
It is thought to be one of only two Christian bookshops remaining in the county after shops in Telford and Whitchurch closed in recent years.
It employs seven full and part-time staff, and is also home to local groups Shrewsbury Youth for Christ and Community Money Advice.
A crisis meeting was called last Thursday with more than 80 members of the public attending.
It was suggested that the only way to run the shop would be to form a registered Christian charity to take over its management, and a new steering committee was set up to try to make the venture a reality. Six people put their names forward from various churches around the town.
But the immediate future of the business still remains in doubt, with fears that it could close for a period until the new charity is properly set up and has raised the initial money needed to take it on. Phil said: “We are losing enough money for the business to be under threat, and without anyone to take it forward the business will have to close which would be extremely disappointing because it has been a long-standing presence on the high street.
“But I was really delighted with the turnout on Thursday and a steering group has been set up to try to form a working charity to take it forward.
“It is too early to say whether the shop would have to close for a period of time until the charity got set up because things move quickly but we hope not – and we will do everything we can to keep it open as it’s a valuable asset for the community.”
A further meeting will be held at the bookshop tomorrow, Friday, to discuss the proposals.
By David Seadon
