The future of Any Amount of Books has been secured after the independent Charing Cross bookshop was acquired by its manager with support from NatWest.
Gillian McMullan, who has managed the store for 30 years, obtained a £168,500 funding package from NatWest to acquire the business from former owner and founder Nigel Burwood.
After joining the bookshop in 1992 as a part-time sales assistant, Gillian will replace Nigel who has decided to step away from the business. She will continue to manage the shop alongside the existing team of 12 full and part-time members of staff.
Founded in 1970, Any Amount of Books was originally based in Hammersmith before moving to its current Charing Cross Road premises in the 1980s.
The store stocks a weekly rotating collection of both contemporary and rare editions of literature and has amassed a loyal customer base of collectors and readers alike. As one of the first independent bookshops to take up internet retailing, the business offers a vast online catalogue, as well as leather binding services for books in need of repair.
Gillian said: “Having been store manager at Any Amount of Books for 30 years, I am passionate about the business and our reputation as an independent retailer in the city centre. We have an unparalleled collection of books with prices ranging from £1 into the thousands for limited editions.
“The funding from NatWest has allowed me to purchase the business from Nigel, securing the store’s position on the high street and enabling us to continue to source and sell new, used and rare books to our loyal and growing customer base.”
Jon Fordham, Relationship Manager at NatWest, said: “Any Amount of Books is a prime example of an independent store that has built an established customer base both in London and further afield. With the funding we have provided, Gillian will now both own and manage the business and we hope to see the store remain open for many years to come.”
