The shops will compete first to win their regional titles (the regional and country winners of the award will be announced on 11 March) before vying for the overall prize, which will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony on 12 May.
72 independent bookstores have made the finals list this year, reports Heloise Wood for The Bookseller.
Sponsored by book wholesaler Gardners, the award celebrates bookshops that go beyond the literary landscape and bring books to the heart of local communities.
Regional Representation
The nominations span nine different regions and countries, including 10 bookshops each in Scotland, North England, London, south-west England, and south-east England, respectively. The Midlands have seven finalists. Notably, Bristol boasts three finalists, while Manchester has two bookshops appearing for the first time, and Northern Ireland celebrates with three recognised finalists, the highest ever.
The Role of Independent Bookshops
Tom Tivnan, managing editor at The Bookseller, remarked on the resilience and innovation of independent bookshops despite the challenging retail environment. He explained that these finalists are not just confined to their shops but actively engage with their communities by organising festivals, visiting schools, and hosting author events. Independent bookshops are seen as beacons of hope and local cultural linchpins.
The Path to Victory
The shops will compete first to win their regional titles (the regional and country winners of the award will be announced on 11 March) before vying for the overall prize, which will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony on 12 May. The overall winner of the Independent Bookshop of the Year will also be in contention for the Book Retailer of the Year award.
Check out The Bookseller for all the details.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed. FOLLOW.
