Bookshops, Stationery Shops

Music has no place in bookshops - they should have the atmosphere of libraries, and be forums for thought, reading, browsing and reflection.
 

W H Smith

W H Smith boast that they channel music and promotional messaging to around two hundred of their stores (January 2002). This is a shop to be avoided! The company website can be found at:

W H Smith

The "Contact Us" option on this website will allow you to send a message of complaint directly to the head office.

WHSmith Retail, FREEPOST SCE4410, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 3XS. Tel. 0870 444 6444.

email: customer.relations@whsmith.co.uk

The Works: Bargain and Remainder Bookshop

To complain about muzak contact:

Remainders Ltd., Midpoint Park, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. B76 SRN. Tel. 0121 3136000. e-mail: receptio@remainders.co.uk

Libraries

Hendon Library in the London Borough of Barnet now, shockingly, has piped muzak in the library cafe in the midst of the fiction stock. Here is the Website from which a complaint can be made.

Waterstones

Waterstones is installing more and more muzak in its branches. The address to write to about this is: Waterstone's Booksellers Ltd., Capital Court, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0EX . Tel. 020 8742 3800

You can also complain from the company website (Contact Waterstones at bottom of page) at: http://www.waterstones.co.uk/

Stationary Box

Units 12/17, Vulcan Works, Wargrave Road, Merseyside. WA12 8RN. Tel. 01925 220110.

Borders

Borders Bookshops

Just click on the link above to be taken to a list of local Borders Shops throughout the UK or to complain by email. Many Borders Bookshops play rock music at an unbearable level and are best avoided by the muzak-conscious customer.

County Bookshops Ltd.

County Bookshops seem to have instituted a policy of installing overhead speakers in previously quiet shops. Complain to: County Bookshops Ltd., Ground Floor Building, Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol. BS16 1EJ. Tel. 0117 9694488.