SPONSORED BY


DESCRIPTION


Established 40 years ago, Gardners is proud to be an independent, family-owned and run business. Based from facilities in Eastbourne and Bicester, we have grown to become the largest wholesaler and distributor of English-language books in the UK and Europe. We have over 500,000 English language book lines in stock, ready to ship the same day.


THE SHORTLIST


Backstory LONDON


FOLDE Dorset SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND


Griffin Books WALES


P&G Wells


SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND


The Book Hive EAST ENGLAND


The Rabbit Hole MIDLANDS


The Secret Bookshelf ISLAND OF IRELAND


Truman Books NORTH ENGLAND


TRADE AWARDS


Independent Bookshop of the Year


From an inspiring shortlist of nine indie bookshops, it is Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh that scoops the overall title, alongside the £5,000 from sponsor Gardners. This is truly a one-of-a-kind bookseller. Crowdfunded and not yet two years old, it is the UK’s


first bricks-and-mortar romance store and has gone down a storm. It is exceptionally inclusive, with a superbly curated range that celebrates romantic fiction in all its forms. Founder Caden Armstrong – a 25-year-old American who moved to Edinburgh to study and


stayed – built her close-knit community through more than 50 events in 2025, including one with Elsie Silver that sold out in less than a minute. There was also the First Date Romance Festival, hosted with fellow Edinburgh indie Lighthouse Bookshop, plus great collaborations with publishers on projects such as special editions, early sales and exclusive events. Visiting novelists have taken the shop to their hearts as well. “It feels inclusive, welcoming


and joyful,” said one. The British Book Awards judges agreed. “Book Lovers Bookshop is such an affecting story. It has a very clear focus, ambition and identity and has quickly made its mark.”


The nine indie bookshops on this shortlist were the regional and country winners of this award. As the winner of this category, Book Lovers Bookshop joins the shortlist for Book Retailer of the Year.


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