Free for all @ The Book Barns, Bath Rd.
This Week Bristol saw the biggest ever giveaway of free books. A massive book warehouse off the Bath Rd (A4) was opened to the public and everyone was invited to help themselves to as much as could be carried away. The giveaway was so popular that this outstanding act of generosity by the owners is being continued for another week.
Confusion and rumour surround the reasons for the giveaway. The Book Barns are one of the countries largest sellers of second hand books, selling direct to the public through their own website and selling on Amazon. Their warehouses, one by the riverside in Bristol on the site of the old Paintworks, the others a couple of newer barns down the A37 a few miles with room for far more books and also possible room to expand further into the neighbouring green fields. In total it is estimated they stock over 5million titles. It has been reported that the reason for the giveaway was that the lease they held on the paintworks site is expiring so all stock must go. Though overall reporting has obviously been done quite lazily by the press, with The Sun reporting that the bookbarns are the UK’s largets seller of secondhand books on amazon. They even state that there are 5 million books available for free! Another report read that they were a ‘supplier of amazon’!
So where does reality kick in? Well, it’s a genuine story with thousands of books scattered over the warehouse floor and the public is free to help themselves. The Sun article states “not linked to BookBarn International at Hallatrow, Somerset” and that the giveaway is being arranged by the Ashley Nicholson, Director of The Paint Works, not staff of the Book Barns. Unusually for the Daily Mail they do seem to have reported much better than others. - Director of the industrial estate Ashley Nicholson said: ‘We asked Bookbarn to clear the books and they got rid of some of them but there is still a huge, huge number inside the warehouse.’ Rumours that the giveaway was as a result of the company going into administration have strangely not been denied by the ‘other’ book barns, only that they are not associated with them, when only the slightest bit of research shows that the two companies were extremely closely connected only a couple of years ago. Why not simply state that the lease had expired and that the public were invited to collect as much as they could carry as it was not economic to move the remaining, mainly worthless, stock?
On a blog post BookBarns Closing, a Peter Tyson leaves a comment stressing that the companies are not connected in quite an official manner. So, whats the catch? Well, it seems as though Bookbarns set up a new company to run the business on the new site and are now distancing themselves from the expired lease and disposal costs of tons of worthless books they left behind as it was not worth their while transferring this stock to the A37 site.
Worthless books? Some would say it’s a crime to destroy/pulp/burn a book and all books have some value, but how many copies of the 1937 Encyclopedia Britannica are going to be needed, or even bought in the future? The same can be said for thousands of other titles, how many different editions of Dickens have been published, many still exist that are over 100years old, but as they are not first editions they are worth little even in pristine condition. Similair could be said for more modern authors such as Wilbur Smith and Jeffrey Archer, who had hundreds of thousands of copies published, few of which are worth the trouble of storing for the professional bookseller, and even the part-timer with some experience would avoid such titles unless they were a fan of the author. Many book prospectors, or scavengers if you prefer, will be leaving the Book Barns weighed down with books they hope to resell, they may even have used a smart phone to search on amazon to find out prices of books before selecting them. When they get home they’ll be overjoyed to list their box of books on amazon and ‘value’ them at incredibly unrealistic prices due to their rarity or pricematching dodgy american dropshippers that price books at 10x the price of the book available on another website (making profit off gullible customers who only look at one site and do not shop around when buying books). It’s also unlikely they will have checked the amazon sales rank to see if any copies have actually sold. So they may then expect to be storing them until they eventually realise they are storing worthless books that have little to no hope of selling.
Well, I wish them luck, as it is likely that all the stock there was classified as worthless by the owners and this ‘stunt’ was a clever way of them not having to pay for the disposal costs themselves and flooding the already crowded shelves of part-time amazon sellers with even more overpriced yet worthless, stock. But with lots of reporting directly connecting bookbarns the ‘amazon supplier’ with the business that did not clear it’s building of waste at the expiry of it’s lease I imagine a lot more statements trying to create distance between the two ‘separate’ businesses. The only differences I see between this and flytippping is that it was under a roof and people were fooled into believing that the scrap stock had some value.
Latest news is that they will be open for a further week, though as the story has now made the national press it’s likely that hopeful people will be arriving from even further a field to fill their cars full of tatty books.
Photo of the new bookbarns warehouse
BBC article – very short article, again disassociating the currently trading Bookbarns with the stock disposal.
BBC Video of the Bookbarns clearance
ABE Books entry for The Book Barns, showing email address for current business with the address for the old business at the paintworks – Obviously no connection between the 2 businesses!
More pictures of the Biggest Ever Pile of Books on Flickr
Filed under: News Tagged: | book barns, books, Bristol, flytipping, recylcle, waste
I’m sure it’s technically true that “the companies are not connected”. There are two companies (in the strict sense of what’s registered at Companies House): Bookbarn Limited and Bookbarn International Ltd, and I’ve no doubt that they are, formally, not connected. As to their historical relationship, though, it’s pretty iffy to deny a connection when a glance via the Internet Archive shows the current Bookbarn International website http://www.book barn.co.uk to be simply the Bookbarn one with “International” editied in. Have you seen their website terms? They’re among the most anal-retentive I’ve encountered: “Links to the Web sites without the express written permission of BookBarn International are strictly prohibited”.
Nicely summed up Ray. Though I think for people who are so anally retentive as to not allow people linking to their site (had to break the link in your post!) would have issued a statement about not being connected more formally rather than leave quite a grey area open to debate.
I can’t think of any reason why you would divide up a business like this unless the division means it is easier to cut loose the loss making or unprofitable side of the business. This also allows the seperated company to incur debts, such as those for clearing their scrap stock, which would not thenhave to be paid if the company went into administration.
break the link
Sorry, I didn’t realise WordPress automatically completed links without the http…etc bit. Quite bizarre the number of sites that specify this, although I think a lot of them have just bought into some boilerplate contact without actually thinking through the implications (i.e. how deeply controlling and hostile it appears).
There’s been a couple of articles on a trade website:
28.02.09. “Bristol’s abandoned Bookbarn made both the local and national news … Needless to say, there was much derisive internet chatter about the whole affair, as well as speculation about the future of the remaining Somerset Bookbarn. Such concerns will be reinforced by the news I received yesterday, that Derek Belton, the Bookbarn’s founder and principle driving force, had suffered a stroke and is seriously ill in hospital.”
http://www.inprint.co.uk/thebookguide/shops/news.shtml
And a longer one at the url below, about the place that some now call Hellatrow:
http://www.inprint.co.uk/thebookguide/shops/somerset_bookbarn.htm
Anyone who has laboured under Mr Belton will understand the whole situation all too well! Gossip is ever brisk in the Bristol bookscene.
Another recent article from Inprint, mentions the recent death of Book Barns founder Derek Belton. It also ‘alleges’ that the business is being run by a firm of accountants, presumably whilst the estate of the late founder is valued.
More disturbing for those that have ‘arranged’ to sell books via the bokbarns is the theft of the computer that held records of the stock and sales of clients, so that any amounts due and records of stock may be impossible to ascertain.
27.04.09. The recent death of Derek Belton, founder of the West Country’s various Book Barns has heightened concern and speculation about the future of his remaining business, BookBarn International at White Cross in Somerset.
I’ve been told that the theft of a computer at Christmas has led to difficulties in identifying books consigned by individuals and in paying for those that have been sold. And prompted by the scenes at Bristol’s abandoned Book Barn at the end of February, a local bookseller attempted to discover what the future might hold for the remaining Book Barn.
A member of BookBarn International’s staff told him that Derek Belton had handed over power of attorney to a firm of accountants which, it subsequently transpired, seems to be a small tax investigations firm and which now has overall responsibility for running the business. The staff member was happy to pass on the company’s name and the dealer duly phoned them.
The dealer’s interest extended beyond the future of his own books lodged there and he wished to know if the business would be for sale. Apparently the conversation became increasingly heated, with the company spokesperson demanding to know who at BookBarn International had revealed this information, as he said it was confidential. The spokesperson then initiated two further phone calls to the dealer, who described them as turning into ‘a very unpleasant and threatening encounter’.
The Business was in difficulty insomuch as it had stock
to remove and nowhere to put it with a lease running out this sad fact leads me to believe that the subsequent death of Derek Belton had a lot to do with the strain on him personally .. and as a cousin of Mr Belton would not dream to concern myself with matters of CASH But just would like to say that Derek Belton was in my opinion doing the best thing for his business in Feb 2009 and on his subsequent death his name should not be challenged by those who did not know him..
It was not my intention to cause distress to his relatives due to his death, though whether someone is dead or not does not absolve them of dodgy business practices carried out when they were alive.
Different people have different morals and ethics, and condoning the abandoning of responsibilities in the name of profit is very much a problem that pervades in the business world and has a wider impact on the community.
Leases don’t suddenly run out, the stock could certainly have been sold & disposed of in more honourable ways, possibly the money that would have been raised through such a sale would not have paid for the lease to be extended or even have made a profit if carried out before the lease expiry.
I believe Mr Belton got away with this abandoning of his companies responsibility due to the good nature of the paintworks management not wanting to get into a public slanging match and they realised they would gain nothing from such an approach.
— Mr Cox attempted to respond to this comment, though was quite abusive. His claims that Mr Beltons death was due to the stress caused by paintworks management as he was unable to keep to his side of the contract between them in regard the lease is pretty ludicrous. Maybe accepting that Mr Beltons stress was initially created by his inability to delegate and take appropriate actions in a timely manner. Instead Mr Belton set up a seperate company to distance himself from the fiasco created at the paintworks site.
Mr Cox, if you choose to continue to respond, please remain civil. Though I would suggest spending your energy reconciling yourself with the loss of your cousin, rather than the pointless task of trying to clear his name.
I have no wish to clear my cousins name as there is no point. with a party that will NOT even let the last comments made by myself be shown, your involvement seems very one sided, and as for his inability to delegate may I point out that Mr Belton was a millionaire when you were still at school, I have NOT attempted to respond I have made valid points, as to the fact of the closure of his enterprise see how you would have liked to be stuck with 5 Million odd books to worry about lol rather you than me
I can also understand how many would feel at the way Mr belton conducted the closure, but to write the piece after his death, is to show the world the morals you hold dear, and the class of personage you are. I feel sorry for you please except my sincere regret in not having met you face to face as you must be one hell of a guy
The reason for the deletion of your post was the personal abuse you felt necessary to include. If I did not want to discuss this matter as you suggest I would have deleted all your comments and criticsm.
As for writing the piece after his death? Perhaps you should note that the article was posted at the start of March, whilst Mr Beltons death was not reported until the end of March.
Assertions you make about his business acumen in being a millionaire, do seem to be contradicted by him having 5million items of, dare I say largely worthless, stock at the end of his lease. If this stock had been worth any money he would have made arrangements to relocate them or sell them in bulk before the end of the lease. If the leaseholders had assessed this stock of having any value they would have made arrangements to sell them, rather than just throw the doors open to the public in the hope they would dispose of most of the worthless stock. He may well have been a millionaire whilst I was in school, but can I ask how much his estate and business was valued at his death?
This It to be resolved but, may I tell you Mr Belton was a self made man not a vulture,you have no moral right to down him,you say that your report was after his death then why are you so full of it NOW sorry but it seems to me you are a vindictive man, that has only his jealousy to drive him on..
As I said you are one hell of a guy , as for his worthless stock.. I can tell you he lived for many years like a millionaire with all the trappings of that ilk, trust me he died with his boots.. on not like those who think life owes them a living, trust me you and me have a lot to learn from this man,he lived life to the full, and that is the wish of us all, you may think your jibes make a difference but believe me most lives are a sham con pared to the life of Mr Derek Belton( Steven Wood) a man who made it happen even in the face of adversity
was he living the life of a proper? no it seems to me he has the last laugh on the paintworks ..And died a very rich man (find it ) ..if you can !
I don’t just ‘say’ that the article was written and posted before his death, you can examine the evidence as to dates it was originally posted which are plain for all to see.
I make no allegations as to his ‘business acumen’ only his morals and ethics, though to you and many others, maybe his worth can only be valued by money alone. Often it seems to be the case that people get rich due to a lack of morals and exploitation of others, yet you seem to be suggesting that once they have died then people can not make judgments on their business decisions. I’m sure Robert Maxwell’s sons would be on your side here!
Funny though that you feel the need to get so passionately involved in upholding his character. Is this an attempt to ingratiate yourself with family members who were left money by his will? It does seem quite strange your outpourings on the subject so long after the original publication of the article.
You indeed may wish to learn from him, as it is obvious you coveted his money & lifestyle. Myself I will be happy to have lived a life without having exploited anyone or dishonoured contracts for my relatives to attempt to defend in cyberspace. As for wealth, I have a great deal of wealth in my family and friends, and monetary wealth is only secondary to this and would not be compromised by dodgy deals to avoid debts and contractual obligations.
I have nothing to gain from Mr Beltons estate.I have a very good lifestyle earned on the principles of good ethics, I would be in full agreement with all you say, but for the your attempt to discredit a dead man in CYBERSPACE (as you call it )
the fact still and always will remain you are playing judge and jury on the life of a dead man.I for one may not be in agreement with his business practices ether but have the grace not to flout the my feelings about the dead whom can’t reply from the grave please show some respect. I am sure you like myself are not perfect,or maybe you feel you have the god given right to say anything you like in cyberspace seems a bit childish don’t you think ?
well, Mr Cox, you seem to desire to continue this ‘debate’ indefinitely, congratulations on your persistence in this.
Indeed it is highly regrettable that Mr Belton died so suddenly and was not able to give a full account of his business practices. Though as I have previously mentioned, death isn’t absolution of all ‘wrong-doing’, and am sure many a historian would agree that it is often the start of greater truths about the life of the deceased. As for discrediting him, I am only providing information which is largely in the public domain, only his actions could cause him to have discredited himself.
Having written the article before Mr Belton’s death I feel no guilt in my actions on posting this story here. Even having reported his death I had no regret in having pointed out that the actions he took in the closure of the paintworks site were dishonourable if not morally bankrupt. Perhaps if he had not died so suddenly, he may have been in a position to respond himself. If he had done so it would not have taken me long to expose the recent history of his business activities, and the connections between the 2 book barn companies.
BookBarn international (based on the A37) was registered with companies house on 28/04/2009 perhaps a little after the passing of Mr Belton, though trading under this name had been happening for months beforehand. Companies House Info.
BookBarn ltd (based on the paintworks site) was due to have submitted accounts on 27/05/2008 with the last accounts being published 14months earlier. Companies House Info. So, this does suggest that the ‘abandonment’ of the paintworks site along with stock held there was planned well in advance and a separate company – Bookbarns International was planned to take over the ‘profitable’ part of the business whilst the worthless stock, the expired lease and possibly even debts left with the old company to float down the stream.
Am sure any impartial reader would find this interesting, and the fact that the proprietor of these businesses has since died is quite irrelevant to the facts of the story.
It does make me wonder if it would be worth delving further into the business history of Mr Belton as he does seem on reflection quite a slippery fish and may well be experienced at reaping profits and abandoning responsibilities.
Well you seem to have got him as to were (DEAD TO RIGHTS) that is, it seems how most millionaires rise from a mere grammar school education in the cut-throat world of business, although I myself have remained solvent in the furniture trade we have not become a millionaires in property maybe but that is the nature of property rise..but double dealing and deceit are not in my nature fortunately
I must congratulate you on YOUR stealth in the doings of Mr Belton and digging up his history will maybe not be a healthy option this man had many friends that will not take kindly to probing.. I distanced myself from Mr Belton or SW some 45 years ago I advise you to do the same and thank you for the very illuminating facts about him, you see I did not have much time for him either, and you filled me in with detail I couldn’t have asked you for strait out Thank You once again and best regards
Dave Cox