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INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR
OVERVIEW Booksellers of independent seasoned retailers already winners in title of Independent The winner also joins the shortlist for the Book Retailer of the
THE EDINBURGH BOOKSHOP The Edinburgh Bookshop is Scotland’s winner for the fifth time, following a 10th consecu- tive year of growth. It also had a record-high year in events, book groups and pop-ups. Kids’ books are a strength and it does sterling work to encourage reading for pleasure.
GRIFFIN BOOKS This Penarth indie, winner in the Wales category, has a profile and sales that belie its small space. It averaged an event a week in 2022 and set up new book clubs and local partnerships. Online sales and subscription packages continue to be popular long after the end of lockdowns.
MOSTLY BOOKS Abingdon’s Mostly Books, South East England champion, has increased sales by 50% since its current owners took over in 2017. Creative events included a Japanese fiction night and theatre, while “Mostly Books Meets” contin- ues to be one of bookselling’s best podcasts.
THE RABBIT HOLE The Brigg-based Midlands winner has been through a lot in its first six years, but its indefatigable team of three has constantly found ways to generate sales. The undoubted highlight of the year was a No Limits Festival launch, which beat all expectations with 7,000 visitors over a weekend.
STORYSMITH South West England winner Storysmith moved to a new home in Bristol in its fourth year and was rewarded with more sales growth. It is already a go-to for literary events in the city, and five book clubs, excellent email marketing and school events all helped it extend its reach.
31 JUDGES VERDICT
THE NUMBER OF UK INDIES THIS SHORTLIST IS AMPLE PROOF OF [INDEPENDENT
HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS This children’s specialist in the County Wicklow town of Greystones is the Island of Ireland winner. Events, school orders and subscriptions all became a bigger part of its mix in 2022 and its hard-working team of five did more excellent outreach work for the local community and charities.
NICHE COMICS BOOKSHOP The East England winner, this family-run Huntingdon indie emerged from the pandemic in great shape, with the kind of closeness to customers that only specialists achieve. It rode a surge of interest in graphic novels in 2022, and ramped up its events and marketing.
NOMAD BOOKS London winner Nomad Books has been at the heart of its Fulham community since 1990, and under Individual Bookseller of the Year conten- der Aude Bolechala (p29) it has overcome major challenges in London’s retail sector lately. “A ray of sunshine on the high street,” said one visitor.
FORUM BOOKS The North England category goes not just to Corbridge’s Forum Books but to the two other shops in its mini-chain: Whitley Bay’s the bound and Alnwick’s Accidental Bookshop. All are great supporters of local authors and go above and beyond for customers and their staff.
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