End of an era for Thatcham bookshop

Stephen Walker, who has run the Family Bookshop in the Broadway, has now started the process of closing down, after 15-and-a-half-years in business.
Creative Planning on behalf of Y Developments Ltd has applied to turn 58 Broadway, into three flats but retain a shop on the ground floor.
It has also applied to demolish the building at the back of the shop and erect four new terraced houses and two flats on land to the rear – nine dwellings in total.
The works will mean that although a shop will be retained, it would be a smaller unit.
Mr Walker said that although this was one of his reasons he added: "Really, the business is getting harder; we had a really quiet spring and summer and trade was down on the last year and the year before that.
"I'm also getting feedback from customers that they are much more price conscious so it's probably a good time to get out.
"I will be pleased when I have closed down."
For more see Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.