SPONSOR
DESCRIPTION Gardners has been involved as an integral link in the book supply chain for over
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR
OVERVIEW These booksellers the regional round of the Independent Bookshop of the Year The nine shops—a long-established for the overall prize sponsor Gardners that of the vibrancy and resilience of indie this category is added to the shortlist for the Book Retailer of the
BOOK-ISH Book-ish in Crickhowell is the Wales category winner for a second year in a row. It had a record year in 2019, running its own literary festival, host- ing numerous book clubs and local groups, and launching a book subscription service. “It exemplifies community—home from home,” said one customer.
BUTTON & BEAR CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP This Shrewsbury kids’ indie is the Midlands category winner. Like all these shops, it is a pillar of its town, staging well over 200 events (including book clubs), supporting schools with events, stock and literacy initiatives, and partnering with several charities.
HUNTING RAVEN BOOKS This Frome indie is the South-west England winner. It achieved double-digit growth with some creative promotions and events with the likes of Jacqueline Wilson, David Nicholls and Rick Stein. An outreach highlight was a Books Against Loneliness campaign, backed by Pan Mac.
PHILIP’S BOOKSHOP Philip’s in Mallow in County Cork is the Ireland category winner. It celebrated 30 years in family ownership in 2019, but continued to find new ways to push forwards. It moved to a new 5,000 sq ft space last April, launched a book club and grew its sales by a third.
LIGHTHOUSE BOOKS In business for just three years, the Scotland category winner has quickly established a reputation as a dynamic radical bookseller. The indie averaged an event at the shop every other day in 2019, including workshops, exhibi- tions, fundraisers and its own Radical Book Fair.
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THE BOOK HIVE The Book Hive in Norwich is the East of England winner. It launched a new membership scheme and was a big promoter of the region’s culture, hosting poetry and children’s writing workshops, providing desk space for local creatives, and showcasing talent via its own imprint, Propolis Books.
JUDGES VERDICT
AFTER A TOUGH TIME FOR THE
THE BOOK SHOP The Lee-on-the-Solent shop is the South-east England cate- gory winner. Since changing hands in 2018 it has appealed to younger demographics with evening events, school holiday activities and book clubs. Outside-the-box thinking includes book bag giveaways and a “ComicCon” event.
BROOK’S BrOOK’S in Pinner is the London category winner. Launched in 2018, it is a thoroughly modern retailer, opening until 10 p.m. for three nights a week, and it is popular for its wine and coffee as well as its books offer. It has a slick online presence too and is tireless in its outreach.
FORUM BOOKS Forum Books in Corbridge is the North of England category winner for the third time in the past five years. After moving home in 2018 it found room to grow, and clever promos included Blind Date books wrapped in brown paper—but knowledgeable hand-selling is its real bread and butter.
GOLDEN HARE BOOKS, LAST YEARS WINNER
JULIE DANSKIN OF
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