Booked out, Smiths owner decides to sell

Smiths Alternative Bookshop, which has been operating in the capital since 1976, is one of just a handful of bookshops still running in Canberra's centre after a number of recent closures.

But the renowned bookstore's owner, Peter Strong, said his choice to sell the business was a positive one, and the shop would remain much the same, if not better.

"I can no longer give it the attention that it needs so my decision to sell will hopefully bring in someone new who can focus entirely on the shop."

Mr Strong bought the quirky bookshop in 2005 and said he had since worked hard to maintain and expand the business.

Speaking to The Canberra Times yesterday, Mr Strong rejected claims bookshops were a dying trade.

He said that the introduction of a wine bar and regular events including live music and poetry nights had helped his shop to flourish, despite closures of other prominent Canberra bookshops.

The business also has an online store and plans to introduce an e-book kiosk.

"Bookshops are still alive," Mr Strong said. "The market is changing, so unless everyone is willing to change with it they will die out."

If the Canberra bookshop is sold, it will still operate under the existing brand but will become part of the Collins Booksellers Group as a franchisee.