The bookshop, which was opened in 1994 and has been in its present location for six years, has become a lively part of the University community.  Now Blackwell are planning to close the branch at the end of 2011, and ten staff members have received notice of redundancy.    

The reputation of the University in the eyes of many students and prospective students is likely to be negatively affected by the lack of a specialist campus bookshop. It will be missed by all the University staff who rely on it. But the loss of this bookshop is also a loss to Sheffield and to the Cultural Industries Quarter of the city.

If Blackwell are prepared to close a bookshop serving one of the largest Universities in the country, are any of their bookshops safe? 

(Check the blog for updates)

Dan J Bye (Branch Secretary, SHU UNISON, in a personal capacity)