What is this call to action about?
Booksellers and retailers working across European town centres and high streets are facing increasing challenges, from the growth of online retail and the closure of retail spaces to soaring overhead costs and insufficient investment in local infrastructure. On behalf of European booksellers, this RISE call to action urges local politicians and relevant stakeholders to implement clear and practical measures to support local businesses and invest in city centres for a resilient and thriving high street.
What do we aim to achieve?
1
Highlight the unique value that bookshops bring to the high street
2
Raise awareness about the current challenges and problems faced by retailers working in town centres and high streets across Europe
3
Bring forward practical and concrete support measures that support retailers and other businesses, and contribute to a dynamic, healthy and revitalised high street for the years to come
Read our latest report highlighting the role bookshops will play in ensuring that high-streets stay relevant and thrive in the years to come
1
Raise awareness on the importance of buying locally and reinvesting in the local economy through regular campaigns and other activities aimed at local residents.
2
Support businesses beyond the initial start-up or launch phases, to ensure their long-term security, viability and motivation to expand. Isolated short-term projects with limited long-term benefits and impact should be avoided.
3
Provide and fund solid and viable structures, such as neighbourhood investment plans and district management organisations that unite local businesses and facilitate interaction with public administration and political bodies, allowing them to meet and exchange regularly and easily.
4
Prevent the proliferation of empty retail spaces in town centres by considering local small retailers and their need for affordable commercial facilities.
5
Prioritise and encourage local procurement processes as much as possible. This is a clear practice that benefits local businesses and emphasises their unique added value, be it socially, financially and/or environmentally.
6
Create a hub among local municipalities and similar bodies that allows exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices, where innovative projects can inspire other towns to replicate or adapt them in their own areas.
7
Improve town infrastructure and facilities without compromising the high streets’ local businesses and consumer footfall. This can be achieved by allowing for sufficient parking space and investing in better public transport.
8
Enable, encourage and reward cooperation and interdependency of local retail for mutual benefit of businesses and consumers.
9
Conduct regular research and collect data to determine consumer needs and consumer behaviour regarding the future of the high street.
Follow our social media channels to learn more about each call to action. Help us raise awareness by sharing our communications content: infographics and examples from booksellers working on the high street and book-sector professionals. Spread the word and get involved using the hashtag #BookShopLocally and don’t forget to support your local businesses!
About RISE Bookselling
Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability for the Enhancement of Bookselling’ (RISE Bookselling), is a three-year EU co-funded programme run by the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) for its network members, aimed at upscaling, reinforcing and maximising the capacity and resilience of the European bookselling sector.
About EIBF
The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is a non-commercial European and international umbrella organisation representing national booksellers associations and booksellers across Europe and worldwide. Our mission is to represent our members and their interests on a global platform, as well as to provide a forum for cooperation and foster the exchange of best practices.
About Creative Europe
Creative Europe is an EU programme that supports a wide range of cultural and creative sectors, encouraging cooperation and exchanges among cultural organisations and artists within Europe and beyond.
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RISE Bookselling is a network programme organized by the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) and co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
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