Three Bristol bookshops are finalists for the prestigious British Book Awards 2025 Bookshop of the Year.
Finalists come from nine regions and countries. Scotland and North England each have ten finalists. London, South-West, and the South-East each share ten. The Midlands has seven finalists, with Bristol securing three spots within the South-West region.
The award celebrates community-focused bookshops and spotlights shops adapting to challenging times. They use creativity to boost sales.
Gloucester Road Books, Storysmith, and Bookhaus complete Bristol’s trio of finalists.
Judges noted the amazing quality this year, highlighting independent shops as beacons of hope, energetic, and entrepreneurial, thriving despite retail challenges. These shops are unique and special.
They do much for their communities by organizing festivals, visiting schools, bringing authors into town, selling many books, and promoting local culture.
The shortlisted shops first compete within their region. The overall winner will be announced May 12 in London and could also be named Book Retailer of the Year.
Gardners supports these amazing shops, helping make reading accessible. The award recognizes their contribution and place in the book world.