THE St Neots branch of Ottakar s will be one of the first in the country to be converted into a Waterstone s following a company takeover. The bookshop, based in Barretts in the High Street, will close on August 6 for minor alterations needed to convert t

THE St Neots branch of Ottakar's will be one of the first in the country to be converted into a Waterstone's following a company takeover.

The bookshop, based in Barretts in the High Street, will close on August 6 for minor alterations needed to convert the store. It will reopen on August 8.

Manager Jacqui Howchin said: "This is less drastic than it sounds.

"The name over the door will change (and we're pretty used to that happening here, as it seems like only yesterday that we became a branch of Ottakar's), and the plastic bags and point of sale material, but customers shouldn't see too many other differences.

"The same staff will be working here, offering the same professional, passionate and personal service."

However, one development will see the store install a new stock system, which will increase the amount of titles in stock.

"We're still learning about the new system, but basically we should end up stocking more books - up to 10 per cent - which is great news."

The store also intends to carry on running reading groups, author signings and activity days. The next reading group meeting is scheduled for August 24.

"Of course we're sad to see the end of the Ottakar's name," said Jacqui, "but we're still here, and still passionate about books, we look forward to welcoming all our old customers, and many new ones."

INFORMATION: Ottakar's was bought by HMV Group, and merged with the Waterstone's last month.

Waterstone's first opened in London in 1982 and had 191 shops. Ottakar's was established in 1987 and has more than 140 stores.