Buk: Sadness as popular Arnold shop described as a ‘little gem’ announces closure

Shop owner Tim Beeden announced that the last day of trading will be Saturday, July 29th and that it wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly. The shop will be holding a closing down sale over the coming month.

The shop has maintained a profit despite the difficult circumstances over the past year. Businesses have struggled through a cost of living increases, energy crisis and mortgage rises. Not only that, but there is the big problem of competing with cut price book sellers such as Amazon.

Tim Beeden, from Calverton, had left teaching last year to start the new business in September 2022. The shop had stocked everything from books on mental health to feminist titles to LGBT+ to black authors. Not to mention fiction and independent writers.

In a post on social media, Tim wrote: “I’m sorry to say that BUK is closing. Our last day of trading will be Saturday 29th July.

It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly nor is it one taken in haste. There are a number of reasons behind this decision, some personal, some less so. The bookshop has always made a nice little profit, despite an energy crisis, cost of living crisis and now mortgage crisis as well as cut-price books everywhere you look.”

However, our personal circumstances have changed and whichever way we cut it, a nice little profit isn’t anywhere near enough.Money isn’t the only factor involved in the decision to close. There are other, more personal reasons. Rest assured we’ve thought long and hard before coming to this decision.”

He also took the opportinity to thank everyone who came to the shop to buy a book and shared the business with friends. He said there is no way BUK would have existed for as long as it did without the support.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet some wonderful people and the support I’ve received for my little portacabin on a busy road has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“One of the things I’ll miss the most is the people. Those people who stop by the shop, grab a book, grab a quick chat and then head on their way. Or those others who manage to find time in their busy days to stop for longer and a good old natter. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of those interactions.”

The shop will be a sad loss to the high street in Arnold and is a huge loss for Nottingham’s independent bookscene. Shoppers reacted to the news of the closure by saying they were ‘gutted’ to see the shop described as a ‘little gem’ go and would be popping into the sale with a ‘heavy heart.’ Independent bookshop, Five Leaves on Long Row also tweeted their support for Tim by wishing him luck.