Adieu, New Worlds
The end is finally nigh for New Worlds, the science fiction, fantasy and horror section of London's three-in-one indie specialist bookstore on the Charing Cross Road. But the name for the store's crime department, Murder One, was how it was generally known to most SF fans just ’cause it sounds cooler. Having to drop New Worlds because of their new smaller premises across the street makes some economic sense what with the considerably larger Forbidden Planet around the corner, whose books section is not nearly as diverse (though they are otherwise redeemed by an impressive array of other media).
The staff at New Worlds didn't mind fans also looking around their basement storeroom if you asked nicely, and I'll miss the retail therapy here before dropping into the Tun on first Thursdays or any other time I was in London and felt like picking up some rarities. However, one thing I will definitely not miss is their terrifyingly erratic air conditioning system which often sounded like the roof was caving in...