Latest News from The Bookseller

Harper makes 'around 25' redundant in Harlequin merger HarperCollins is to complete the process of relocating Harlequin’s UK team into its London Bridge headquarters this month with the loss of around 25 roles. HarperCollins confirmed there had been “a number of redundancies” resulting from the move from Harlequin’s Richmond headquarters to Harper’s new office in east London, with the job losses coming from the shared services team. The company will formally complete its move on 1st September.

Penguin celebrates 80th birthday with new website Penguin, in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and Virgin Media, has launched a new consumer site to celebrate its 80th birthday, geared towards Tube customers and offering free book extracts and interviews with authors. The dedicated mobile-first website, summerofpenguin.com, will give London Underground passengers free access to extracts of new books, ideas and author interviews this summer  from today (3rd August) until 28th August.

Reading improves emotional health, says report There is more evidence that the impact of reading for pleasure has a greater effect on the emotional and social health of children and young people than other age groups, a new report from The Reading Agency suggests.

PRH sells Bookworld to Booktopia Penguin Random House Australia has sold its online book retailer Bookworld to Booktopia, bringing together Australia’s two largest online book businesses. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Booktopia, which will this year reach AUS$90m in sales according to its c.e.o., expects to take operational control of Bookworld in mid-August. Bookworld, which operates bookworld.com.au and angusrobertson.com.au, was purchased by Penguin Random House Australia in 2011, and since then its business has more than doubled and its loyalty programme trebled, said the company.

Five Liverpool libraries 'ready for community groups' Liverpool city council is preparing to hand over five libraries to local community groups to run, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Stroud launches ‘Freedom to Think’ campaign Author Jonathan Stroud is calling for parents and carers to give children time to use their imaginations through his new ‘Freedom to Think’ campaign. Stroud wants parents and carers to make sure children have at least one period each week for ‘unstructured thinking time’ where they can choose their activity or direct their own playing.

Amazon offers customers £10 off as 'thank you' Amazon is offering £10 off any retail order over £50 today to say ‘thank you’ to customers for rating it first in a consumer poll of retailers. Amazon came top of a survey of 20,000 people last month conducted by Havas Media, which asked customers to rank shops on criteria such as excellent product and service, contribution to society and contribution to people’s personal wellbeing in what it called “meaningful brands” research.

IPR License moves to King's Cross Literary rights licensing platform IPR License has moved offices, from Shoreditch to Gray's Inn Road near King's Cross. The larger office will allow for "further expansion within the company," IPR License said. The company recently appointed an acquisitions manager and transactions manager, as well as recruiting Antonella Pearce from the Publishers Licensing Society (PLS) in the role of business development manager.