Portsmouth Blackwell's closes after 15 years

After 15 years of trading, the Blackwell's bookshop at the University of Portsmouth closed last Friday (2nd March) after it was unable to come to an agreement about the new premises.

Blackwell's was in negotations with its landlord the University of Portsmouth about the shop's tenancy in December, with the university wanting to reuse the space for a different purpose. However, a mutual agreement has not been found and the shop was closed on Friday (2nd March).

According to the retailer, the closure was not "specifically about rent or costs" and staff redundancies have not yet been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Blackwell's told The Bookseller: "It is with regret that University of Portsmouth and Blackwell’s Bookshop confirm the closure of the Blackwell’s campus bookshop. Blackwell’s is very grateful for the support the university have provided over the past 15 years.

"Blackwell’s and University of Portsmouth continue to discuss a 365 day a year bookselling provision for students based around bookstalls and online and are planning to maintain a presence on campus at the start of the academic year."

Shop manager Jo West previously said that the situation was “desperately sad”.

A petition to save the shop had garnered 1,195 signatures.