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Rescue plan for Norwich Christian literature
 Following the temporary closure of Norwich’s only city centre Christian bookshop and the alleged sacking of its five staff on Tuesday, an alternative plan to preserve the future of Christian literature in Norwich is emerging.
John Betts (pictured right), chairman of Transforming Norwich said: “We are all concerned for the staff at SPCK and wish them well. We are also concerned about the potential loss of Christian literature in Norwich.
“On behalf of Transforming Norwich and others, I am personally leading an alternative initiative to see that the long-term future of Christian literate in Norwich is secure.
“As soon as there is anything definite to report this will be published on Network Norwich. In the meantime, we value the prayers of all concerned about this situation.”
Any parties with a specific interest or offers of help can contact John at 2john@johnbetts.fsnet.co.uk or on 01603 861181. If you want to express your support, you can do so at the bottom of this article.
______________________________________________________________________ The Forget-Me-Not Café, which is also at the SPCK Centre, at St Michael at Plea, Redwell Street, is still open for business and a notice pinned to the door states that the bookshop will reopen on February 18 under the Saint Stephen the Great Charitable Trust.
SSG chairman Mark Brewer said: “This charity intends to carry on Christian bookselling in Norwich so long as we have the custom and support of the Christian community in the city.
“That support is particularly important at present in view of the challenging economic environment that virtually all High Street retailers are experiencing throughout the country.”
Mr Brewer said the organization had not “sacked” the staff via email.
He said: “We have recently completed new contract consultations throughout the charity. Unfortunately, certain persons have chosen to terminate their employment rather than agree to the new contract. This is a matter of the employees' personal and individual choice; it is not the action of the charity.”
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| | | Patrick Limacher (Guest) | 08/02/2008 09:47 | What an interesting and enlightening statement from Mr. Brewer, I quote:
“We have recently completed new contract consultations throughout the charity"
I would have thought that "consultations" with the employee's would have served the cause far better, but then, as a member of the Chartered Institute of management what would I know?
Mr. Brewer states that they will carry on trading in Norwich as long as they have the custom and support of the Christian community in the city. I think it needs to be pointed out that such support comes from the community as and when it is also demonstrated by those who rely on such support.
So to Mr. Brewer and his "Charity"? I would suggest demonstrating the tenants of christianity is the best way of gaining christian support.
Do you think, Mr. Brewer, you have done so?
| | | | Chris Warner (Guest) | 08/02/2008 10:53 | I find it hard to understand how any consultation can be worth the name if the views of staff can only be expressed by their leaving the employ of an organisation they have been faithful too.
In this respect and encourage Transforming Norwich to consider carefully whether it wants to support an organisation that behaves the way this one has alegedly done.
I do not recall recieving any correspondence from Transforming Norwich to ask whether the members wish to support the line John is taking!
| | | | Sarah Huckel (Guest) | 08/02/2008 13:04 | It looks to me from reading the article that Transforming Norwich are looking at an alternative to St Stephen the Great, not supporting them. I hope that is so.
Mark Brewer's comments are interesting. Again I come back to my point about 'fair trade'. Do we Christians in Norwich still offer our 'support' to the SPCK (or rather, SSG) chain? There is no loyalty to the SPCK name, as the SPCK book chain has itself transformed and ceased to exist - and SPCK is only an old trading name now. Both the intended content of the shops and their 'events' will, over time become unrecognisable.
Churches can buy their candles elsewhere. We can vote with our feet and at the same time pray that another Christian bookshop can open.
And 'consultation' is merely a legal process that must be gone through under employment law - ensuring that redundancies are fair if the new contracts are not accepted - it does not mean 'consultation' as one might expect from the word's every day usage. I am sure that SSG have done things 'properly' in the eyes of the law - but that is not saying very much, is it?
I pray the Lord (and we customers) withdraws his blessing from such shortsighted, and narrowminded business management, and the propagation of a particularly narrow theology to the exclusion of all others. I pray that soon we are blessed with a Christian bookshop that will satisfy the real needs of our city, and that as Christians, until that time comes, we can stand on our conscience, and shop around accordingly. Perhaps we should support local businesses like Jarrolds, and order our Christian books from them? With a surge in demand, we might change the look of their book department?
| | | | Timothy V Reeves (Guest) | 08/02/2008 13:06 | Although I am favourably inclined toward John Betts, his initiative and Transforming Norwich in general, I wonder if the Church in Norwich would find it difficult to support a sectarian group (That is, St Stephen the Great Trust) that once published the following on their web site:
“the only Church true to the Word of God, and therefore the only one that offers true salvation and eternal life"
The Church in Norwich might have the grace to support such a sect, but would that sect be prepared to support the Church in Norwich? The Norwich Church might find that it is hosting a religious parasite, is did the unfortunate staff of SPCK.
|  | | Anonymous (Guest) | 08/02/2008 13:24 | Chris: While I agree with your criticism of the use of the word "Consultation", I'm not sure I understand the rest of your sentiments here. The article above is refering to two seperate points - a problem, the result of these contractual changes effected by the Saint Stephen the Great Charitable Trust, and a completely seperate initiative started by John Betts in response to this problem.
I would assume that any move by John would aim to safeguard the availability of Christian literature (and other items) in Norwich, a move that is no doubt in line with the mission and/or ethos of the Transforming Norwich charity. From what this article says, it does not seem to address the loss of jobs in this particular situation, however looks at the wider picture - How can Transforming Norwich ensure that there is a permenant availability of Christian resources in Norwich. Clearly if John requests financial resources from Transforming Norwich to support this action, then one would assume that the trustees would have to be informed, however any decision that is in line with their ethos and mission may not necessarily require a full-member consultation.
That said, doesn't sound like this is a "decision" at all - more of a Request For Comments. It will be interesting to see what the outcomes of this initiative are...
| | | | Theresa Cumbers (Guest) | 08/02/2008 21:40 | Should we not all be very careful of judging situations of which we do not know the full picture? John Betts has taken on this matter on behalf of Transforming Norwich and I would not for one minute doubt his wisdom and integrity - with grace he has requested comments and support, and that is all at this present time. I thank God for people who are willing to support initiatives for the benefit of the community and will continue to pray for a successful outcome for all concerned. Thank you John, and all who are involved with Transforming Norwich.
| | | | Former SPCK person (Guest) | 08/02/2008 23:49 | One small correction, with all due respect to Sarah Huckel. The attempt to introduce new contracts for the bookshop staff was in the context of a transfer of employment governed by TUPE regulations. The new contracts were NOT agreed by the staff- so any dismissals therefore are not just a shoddy way to treat staff, but are probably "unfair" in law.
| | | | Ray Hewitt (Guest) | 19/02/2008 15:12 | I have already started usimg the Christian book shop in Dereham(Green Pasture) for my EDWJ. If there an initiative to open a new Christian bood shopin Norwich I would support that.
RH
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