Bookshop closing after more than a century in business

March 15, 2025 10:54 am

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A bookshop which is one of the oldest in Edinburgh is closing next month.

B McCall Barbour Christian Bookshop will close on 5 April after 125 years as a retailer and publisher of Christian literature.

The shop was opened by founder Benjamin McCall Barbour in 1900. He worked as a stationery salesman and published a booklet “evangelising Edinburgh’s troubled youth”. After his death the business was passed to his friend James Danson-Smith, and then on to his daughter Miss G.A Danson-Smith. She has decided not to sell the shop but to close it.

Miss Danson-Smith said: ”I’m not getting any younger – now 94 years old – and I’m not able to go to work now. I have to preserve the testimony that the firm has had over 125 years.

“It isn’t easy. Considering the population of Edinburgh, and the number of local customers, there were not so many locals coming in. There always seemed to be more customers coming from further away; from other parts of Great Britain, from Northern Ireland, and also from abroad. Holland, the Scandinavian countries, North America, and actually all over the world.”

The bookshop Manager, Chris Wedderburn said: “Working for B. McCall Barbour over the last 4 years has been the most wonderful period of employment in my life so far.

“Spending the working day in a Christian environment – with the bulk of customers holding to Christian values – makes a noticeable difference in the quality of communications, and lifts the inevitable toil of any working day from a necessary obligation to a pleasurable act of service; a truly remarkable reflection and outcome of what happens when people apply the Bible – the Word of God – to themselves in everyday life.”

A statement issued to customers reads: “We deeply regret that B. McCall Barbour Christian bookshop is moving towards closure on 5th April, 2025, after 125 years as a Bookseller and Publisher in Christian Ministry.

A “Closing Down Sale” is already in effect giving a discount of 50% off all existing stock. This discount is extended to all our customers.

“The bookshop is expecting to close its door for the last time at 6pm on Friday 21 March, 2025, and mail orders will be accepted until close of business on that day.

“Thank you – every one of you – for your faithful support with both your custom and your prayers over the many years. It has been a blessing to have been in service.”