Following an announcement made by Durham Cathedral on Friday, May 1st, 2009, that "the current operators and occupiers of Durham Cathedral Shop" — ie, the Brewers — have been given one year's notice to quit, this petition is now closed. THANK YOU to everyone who has signed it. The story is far from over, however, and the future of the current bookshop employees remains unclear. Please keep them as well as the Dean and Chapter in your prayers as they seek a way forward that will provide justice for all concerned. Updates will be posted on the SPCK/SSG Blog as and when new information emerges. ORIGINAL PETITION TEXT We, the undersigned, call upon the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral to rescue this once outstanding bookshop from the hands of those who have ravaged it, namely Phil and Mark Brewer and their St Stephen the Great Trust. The Brewers took control of this bookshop, of the entire SPCK Bookshop chain, with fine sounding words, but actions always speak louder than words: Durham Cathedral Bookshop - described by one eminent scholar at an international conference as "the best theological bookshop in the world" - is now but a shadow of its former self. The manager, Carole Burrows, was driven out. Current staff are demoralised. Surely enough is enough: we urge you to take decisive action now to rescue the shop from further decimation. Durham Cathedral is a World Heritage Site and an iconic northern shrine, a popular tourist destination and a centre of Britain's spiritual life - yet it is now marred by association and ill-equipped to serve those who come to it seeking spiritual refreshment and theological enlightenment. We therefore call upon you to step in, as Jesus once stepped in at the Temple in Jerusalem, and to drive out these men who are bringing this unique part of Britain's Christian Heritage into disrepute. We urge you, please: take back control of your bookshop, of our bookshop, without further delay.

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