Ottakars has bought eight bookshops from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the administrators of James Thin, for £1.64m.
The 78-strong chain will also step up its own opening programme from four outlets last year to seven this financial year.
The Thin stores, five Scottish and three English, will be rebranded as Ottakars. PwC will close two other Scottish stores at Perth and Ayr as well as one south of the border in Huddersfield.
Doubts remain over 11 remaining academic book stores.
The Times 28/03/02 page 37
The Daily Telegraph 28/03/02 page 39
The Independent 28/03/02 page 25 (The Investment Column)
The Guardian 28/03/02 page 27
