FEARS that a widely-known Kent bookshop might close after nearly 30 years have been averted.

A Northern-based company has taken over the lease of the Rainham Bookshop. It is understood the name of the shop in Station Road at Rainham will be retained.

Four jobs have been saved, including that of shop manager Kate Williams. The new owner is Linghams Booksellers, which runs two bookshops on the Wirral, and two others in the Merseyside area.

Rainham Bookshop was one of several businesses owned by Hamish Mackay Miller that plunged into financial crisis last month.

Others included a schools book service, wholesale distribution, maps and a local history magazine Bygone Kent.

Mr Mackay Miller took the bookshop out of receivership but needed to dispose of the lease to cover substantial liabilities.

This has now been achieved, much to his delight, even though he admits he still faces serious financial problems.

He said: “It’s great news for Rainham and the book-loving public of North Kent.

“Linghams are taking on the lease of the shop, re-hiring some of the staff and continuing it as The Rainham Bookshop.”

He added: “I think it will continue to be a very broad-based general bookshop and continue to be the best bookshop in Kent, providing very good customer service.”

Linghams takes over at the end of next month, and according to Mr Mackay Miller, intends to refit the shop and re-stock it with all new material.

A stock clearance sale that started a few weeks ago will continue until May 20, with around 70,000 books, maps and CDs on sale at half price.

Mr Mackay Miller will continue to run his local magazine The Net from offices over the bookshop.

Meanwhile, Turner Books has bought the schools book service which will also continue to be based in Rainham.

Mr Mackay Miller is still seeking someone to take on his warehousing business in Courteney Road, Gillingham. It covers 20,000 sq ft and is on offer at £3.95 a sq foot.

However, the long-term future of Bygone Kent remains uncertain.