A call for support for Chambers Harrap, the oldest remaining Scottish publisher (established in 1819) to remain in Edinburgh.

David Martin MEP recently met with Liam Rodger, National Union of Journalist (NUJ) representative at Chambers Harrap, and his colleague Mary O’Neill (pictured left), at the European Parliament Office in Edinburgh to hear the case for keeping the publisher and its 27 employees in Edinburgh.

“I was convinced by their case” said David, “and I will be promoting their cause in London, Brussels and Paris.  Chambers is one of the few remaining Scottish publishers, and is part of the fabric of the history of Edinburgh – Chambers Street is named after one of its founders, William Chambers, who was Lord Provost, and who paid for the restoration of St Giles Cathedral.  His brother Robert was editor of Chambers Magazine, one of the great engines of self-education for ordinary people in the 19th century."

Chambers is still a viable Scottish based company employing 27 people in Edinburgh – they will all lose their jobs if their work is transferred to London and Paris.

The Chambers Dictionary is a favourite resource of crossword fans and word-lovers and has been endorsed by Philip Pullman as ‘the most human of dictionaries’.  The 11th edition published, in 2008 has a preface by Jeremy Paxman (the question master on University Challenge), sells very well and has a bright future – let’s make that future in Edinburgh, Scotland.

If you want this to happen you can make your feelings known by sending a message to the company at admin@chambersharrap.co.uk
Messages of support can be sent to Chambers Harrap NUJ care of the NUJ Scottish Office at: nujscotland@nuj.org.uk