The publisher Antoine Gallimard fears " a wave of bankruptcies " of bookstores and publishing houses if " strong support " is not quickly put in place by the State to provide them with assistance.
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The Ministry of Culture recently announced the release of 22 million euros including 5 million euros for the book industry, " but these means are completely insufficient, " said the boss of the group Madrigall (Gallimard, Flammarion , Casterman ...) in an interview published on Friday on the Livres Hebdo website.
“ We need a major plan. It is also necessary (...) that deadlines be granted, to all companies in the sector, for the settlement of charges, "he added. “ The bookstore is the most fragile link. It must make massive use of the BPI system (Public Investment Bank, editor's note), it is vital for it as for the entire sector, ”insisted the editor.
Thursday, the Syndicate of the French bookstore (SLF) had launched an urgent call for the creation of a support fund to the booksellers, associating the State, the regions and private partners. Like all businesses deemed non-essential, French bookstores have been closed since March 16.