Byline: ANDREW BEACH

TURNING THE PAGE: Booksellers James Thin went into administration in January

PUBLISHING and bookselling giant Blackwell's UK today confirmed it was buying Edinburgh-based James Thin academic bookshops in a deal which will mean the disappearance of the historic James Thin brand name.

Blackwell's is paying more than 2 million pounds for the 12 academic branches, including the flagship South Bridge store. Eleven of the branches are in Scotland, and all of the 102 staff will be retaining their jobs.

Blackwell's also announced a massive 1.5m refit for the South Bridge shop, with work due to start in Spring 2003.

As well as South Bridge, the sale covers the James Thin shop at St Andrews, the University of Edinburgh stores at...