In the trade body's submission to the Competition Commission, chief executive Ronnie Williams claimed that the purchase 'will constitute the effective ending of mainstream competition in the specialist high street bookselling market' and 'this is the last opportunity it [the OFT] will have'.
Williams also warned: 'Once the two main gatekeepers in this market merge, the only viable alternative route to market for non-populist titles will disappear, thereby reducing diversity to the detriment of the consumer. This market is clearly crucial to the industry and to consumers and should not be allowed to effectively dwindle once the two major players become one.'
In the letter, he argued that the merged Waterstone's and Ottakar's businesses would have a market share of 55 per cent 'significantly in excess of the 25 per cent threshold that the OFT's guidelines suggest is the starting point for an indication of concern'.
Williams said The Publishers Association would be submitting a more detailed response and that it would like a meeting with the Competition Commission to set out its opposition.
A full copy of the submission is available at www.competition-commission.org.uk
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