Independent Bookshop of the Year
WINNER FIVE LEAVES BOOKSHOP, NOTTINGHAM
Each of the bookshops on this shortlist is already a winner in its own right, having secured the title of best independent bookshop in its region. But it is Nottingham’s Five Leaves, winner in the Midlands and Wales category, that scoops this flagship award, and the £5,000 from sponsor Gardners that goes with it. Founded five years ago, Five Leaves has all the trappings of a top
independent: superb service, stock that is finely tuned to its market, a thriving book group, a packed events programme and effective local partnerships. All contributed to double-digit growth in sales last year. Beyond all that, Five Leaves creates a distinctive identity out of its
emphasis on political and social issues, a passion for diversity and a reputation for poetry. It organised Nottingham’s first ever Radical Book Fair in 2017, and will follow it with a Feminist Book Fortnight in June. Its thought-provoking range is heavy on titles from small and edgy presses, and it goes beyond books to include own-brand "Read, Think, Resist" T-shirts, badges and mugs. Like an increasing number of independents, it produces its own books
too—in fact, Five Leaves was a publisher before it was a bookseller—and creativity clearly runs through the shop: two former members of staff have had titles published by Bloomsbury and Picador recently. “This is a very good bookshop—but so much more,” said the judges.
“Five Leaves is clearly as much about the act of reading and growing literacy as it is about running a business.” They admired its passion and desire to contribute to cultural, political and social debate—while having fun along the way. “It’s genuinely collaborative, generous and public- spirited and has a stack of energy . . . Five Leaves is a very high-class literary bookseller indeed—long may it prosper.”
SHORTLIST
THE BOOK HIVE (East of England region winner) The Norwich indie captured new customers with imaginative promotions, including a new book subscription service.
DRAKE - THE BOOKSHOP (North region winner) Events and school partnerships have cemented it in Stockton-on-Tees in less than three years.
THE EDINBURGH BOOKSHOP (Scotland region winner) Packs a lot of stock and activity into a small shop, with children’s books a particular strength.
PAGES OF HACKNEY (London region winner) Saw sales rocket in 2017,
stepped up its outreach work in the local community and gave exposure to marginalised voices.
RED LION BOOKS (South East England region winner) Increased sales once again ahead of its 40th anniversary year, still run by its founders out of Colchester.
WESTBOURNE BOOKS (South West England region winner) Notched up a sales rise and enhanced its children’s area, events and festival partnerships.
WOODBINE BOOKS (Ireland region winner) Only in its second year but already at the cultural core of its small town in County Kildare.
WITH THANKS TO: GARDNERS
KEY STRENGTHS
Sharp increase in sales in 2017 following a best-ever Christmas
Put on around 90 events for more than 6,000 people
Politically-conscious outlook with initiatives including a Radical Book Fair
Extensive in-house publishing and imaginative non-books range
Gardners has been involved as an integral link in
the book supply chain for over 25 years as Britain’s leading independent wholesaler.
THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS WINNERS 2018
37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
