Whitemans book store Bath

[WHEELTAPPER]

I am sure many of you who have bought their transport books from the above will be shocked like I was to find it has closed down. I went there this afternoon to buy my Xmas reading and found an honestly box, a few books at 50p and the shelves all bare. I have shopped there since the early 60's buying my Ian Allens ABCs etc. This link gives a bit more info and incidently good luck to Charlie and Leslie on their venture in Larkhall. http://www.titfield.co.uk/Whitemans.htm
Anybody else with memories of this institution?
Rog.

[stationcat]

I noticed this last Wednesday, I too had bought many books and maps from Whitemans. It's a great shame shops like this are dying out, on line shopping is all very well but it will never replace the pleasure of spending time browsing the shelves.

[jules]

Such a shame to see book shops closing. I know that will be particularly sad news to our host Mr Hattie.

The Larkhall shop looks very interesting. Good luck to them indeed ... I shall have to make a trip out there and spend my Xmas gift money - GWR Goods Yards Vol 2b sounds fascinating!

Every goods yard in Bristol? I can't wait

[Roger]

Unfortunately it has been running down for a couple of years now - I remember going there when the shelves were packed with transport books and spent many an hour deciding what to buy. I suppose the advent of internet sales has been a big problem for them (as other book shops) but who can blame buyers if they can get the same book much cheaper on-line.

[37114]

Sorry to hear this although not been recently, they were my number 1 bookshop.

[StoneRoad]

I can sympathise with this situation.....
but at least you have a nearby replacement.

My "local" bookshop of choice - at least for pre-owned ones - closed a couple of years ago.
The guy who owned it said that apart from the fact that his age/health were making him consider closing, it was the competition from a) the internet - although he does still do some trade on-line - and b) undercutting by a certain charity shop nearby.

Unfortunatly, said charity shop now has a more limited and relatively overpriced range......

[Titfield]

Thank you very much to Roger for flagging up my new bookshop "The Titfield Thunderbolt" on this fine forum in connection with the sad demise of Whitemans in Orange Grove.

Although it is fair to say that the end of Whitemans has helped to get me motivated and organised into setting up my own "proper" bookshop in Bath (albeit on the eastern edge of town), I am genuinely saddened to see its end. I was the "saturday boy" there from 1976 to 1977 and worked for Tim Graham (the owner from 1975 to 1995) several more times in between going to college etc and also at the Bristol model railway show every year, first at the Vic Rooms and then exhibition centre.

Great days and I have lots of happy memories and stories, plus getting my great love of books and railway books in particular from my time there.

Anyway, you will be very welcome at my new place, I won't be able to replicate the big range of all sorts of transport books that Whitemans offered in its heyday, although as far as railway books go I like to think I will be as good if not better.

If you do visit please say hello, it'll either be me or George you see (he's a fellow enthusiast) - I'm the one without the beard!

Thank you again for mentioning the business Roger (and coming over before Christmas) if anyone has any comments or suggestions then I would be very pleased to hear them. The shop has a working kettle and custard creams are often available if #2 son Charlie hasn't been around too much...

Happy new year to all and apologies for sounding like an advert.

Simon Castens

www.titfield.co.uk

Tel 01225 462332