The Strange Death of East London’s Most Radical Bookshop Overview This article recounts the turbulent story of Scarlett Letters, a radical left-wing bookshop in Bethnal Green, East London, known for its ties to the local activist community. The bookshop’s closure was marked by union disputes, occupations, and surprising interventions—including a David-versus-Goliath moment involving Google’s AI research VP—and began with a seemingly minor issue: clogged toilets. --- Key Points Origins and Ideals Scarlett Letters was founded by Marin Scarlett with the mission to serve as a "hub for resistance, community, stories and imagination," with a special focus on sex workers and leftist causes. The shop opened to much enthusiasm among the capital’s left-wing activists. Trigger Event: "Toilet-Gate" A plumber fixed the disabled toilet in the basement, which was ironically inaccessible by wheelchair. The owner, Scarlett, issued a strict new policy requiring people to ask staff to be escorted to use the toilet, citing concerns about customers helping themselves to the staff area or stock. Staff were expected to "role play" saying "no" to customers, stirring strong backlash. Staff considered the message "bizarre and sexist," and felt it clashed with the space’s radical values. The toilet issue catalyzed broader concerns about working conditions, including no sick pay, zero-hours contracts, and lack of secure shifts. Unionization and Dispute Staff, feeling united, unionized with the United Voices of the World (UVW) within a week of the toilet controversy. Their demands included: Sick pay Ending zero-hour contracts Operating the shop on co-operative principles (staff having a voice in management) The shop was running at a loss monthly, propped up by £10,000 monthly donations from an anonymous "angel investor." The investor considered withdrawing funding if the shop became a co-op. A stalemate ensued, with heated social media exchanges: Staff accused management of exploiting their marginalized identities for marketing while silencing them. Scarlett refuted claims, explaining her own marginalisation, workload, and low pay, and announced the shop's impending closure. Occupation and Forced Stock Removal Staff responded to closure announcements by occupying the shop, aiming to take ownership of stock valued at approximately £10,000-£70,000 to start a new co-operative bookshop named The People’s Letters. Negotiations with management and HR revealed the stock was legally "asset locked," so transfer for free was impossible. Occupiers held the shop overnight, but Scarlett had already hired a locksmith, legal observers, and a team that forcibly removed stock overnight while drilling locks. The presence of notable figures like Blaise Agüera y Arcas (Google AI VP) during the removal highlighted the strange drama. The shop was left empty, adorned only with posters announcing the planned reopening as The People’s Letters. Perspectives Booksellers/Staff: Felt betrayed and silenced despite their union efforts; aimed to preserve the radical spirit through a co-op model. Marin Scarlett: Expressed surprise at the escalation; claimed attempts to work with the union and implement sick pay; blamed staff actions for forcing early closure. UV W Union Organiser (Matt Collins): Baffled by the dispute's intensity and atypical nature, noting it as a rare experience in 14 years of union work. --- Summary What began as a conflict over a banal workplace issue—a clogged toilet and restricted access—escalated into a full-blown labour and ideological dispute that tore apart an eagerly anticipated radical bookshop in East London. The saga reveals complexities of managing radical spaces within capitalist frameworks, the tensions between management and labour, and the limits of idealism confronted by economic realities. The closure of Scarlett