Waterstones founder has ‘no guilt’ over loss of small bookshops

His business expanded aggressively in the 1980s and 90s, but indies ‘had a shot’, says Tim Waterstone

The founder of Waterstones has said he feels no guilt over the aggressive expansion of his chain which led to the closure of nearly 500 independent bookshops in the UK.

Tim Waterstone, who founded the bookseller in 1982, told the BBC’s Desert Island Discs on Sunday that the competition simply wasn’t up to scratch. “I didn’t feel guilty,” he says. “I’d just have to say, no, they had a shot.

We had self-confidence and a very clear offer, and wonderful staff and a wonderful business model. We weren't sympathetic

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