THE OWNER of a Petersfield business is plotting for the future after celebrating a major chapter in its history.

The number of characters in the fascinating world of independent bookshops is ever decreasing, with more than 1,000 closing in the UK over the last 24 years.

But John Westwood has no intention of writing the last chapter for The Petersfield Bookshop, especially in this milestone year.

“It’s not easy being on the high street these days, let alone running a second-hand bookshop,” said Mr Westwood, who is especially critical about the effect “horrendous” business rates are having on traders.

“There’s not even 200 now and most of the people who run them are going to retire soon, I imagine.

“But we’re not going to give in. My dad started this business in 1958 and was renowned throughout the world for his bookselling.

“It’s also a really big year for us as it’s 60 years for this shop and 100 since Harry Roberts, started it.”

While some aspirations for the shop can’t be revealed, the current buzzword at the bookshop seems to be “engagement” with several schemes in the pipeline for bookworms in Petersfield and beyond.

Mr Westwood and his colleagues are keen on holding readings and a Christmas grotto in the shop while plans are also afoot to bring the bookshop to people who can’t get into town.

“We would like to get a mobile bookshop and get that to the local villages, perhaps put up some tables and chairs so people can have a cup of tea,” said Mr Westwood.

“If they haven’t got a book they want then we could bring it to them. There’s a lot of elderly customers who can’t get into town so we would like to come to them.”

Mr Westwood and bookseller Robert Sansom have also been encouraged by the success of their “After Hours” events, with the latest taking place last Friday evening.

Guests who pre-registered were offered 50 per cent off the store’s general secondhand stock and 25 per cent off its antiquarian and specialist books bought between 7pm and 9pm.

They also got the chance to peruse ‘The Monsoon’, a vault of 20,000 second-hand books not normally open to the public.

Guests, who included a writer from Country Life, were also treated to canapes, Pimm’s and folk music from Martin Johnson.

The event was the second of its kind to take place at the bookshop this summer, while other schemes are planned to pull in customers.

“We’re trying to engage a bit more with the community,” said Mr Westwood.

“We’re trying to do more events in the shop and, when we’ve increased the space, we’re hopeful of really doing that.”