Samuel French theatre bookshop to close after almost 200 years

Samuel French will close their London bookshop on Fitzroy Street in April after 187 years of trading.

The company say they are being forced to close due to an 'an unsustainable rental increase at the end of its current lease'.

The shop stocks plays, musicals and books on the theatre, and the company also license and publish plays.

They will continue to sell their books online at www.samuelfrench.co.uk, and will move its publishing and licensing departments to new offices in Euston.

Samuel French have also announced that they will donate a selection of its remaining theatre book stock to major UK drama schools and libraries.

Managing director Douglas Schatz said: "We’re extremely sad to see it go and send a huge thank you to all the staff and customers from all over the world who’ve supported the shop through the years."

The company will also relaunch their Acting Editions play texts which are designed for theatre practitioners. The list of published Acting Editions currently comprises more than 3,000 titles, and completely redesigned versions will be released in March.