Three stores in Bristol have made the shortlist to be crowned Independent Bookshop of the Year 2025. The South West finalists for the British Book Awards have been announced, out of a record 72 submissions this year.
Finalists have been revealed from across nine different regions and countries, including ten in Scotland, North England, London, South-West England and South-East England and seven in the Midlands. Within these regions, Bristol alone boasts an impressive three finalists.
The British Book Awards 2025 Independent Bookshop of the Year Award, sponsored by book wholesaler Gardners, celebrates stores that reach beyond the literary landscape and bring books to the heart of local communities. The awards also highlights independent bookshops from across the United Kingdom and Ireland continuing to thrive with imagination and innovation boosting sales, amidst rising challenges on the high street.
The Bristol finalists are:
- Gloucester Road Books
- Storysmith
- Bookhaus
The Bookseller managing editor said: “The last year has been a drab time for the High Street with declining footfall and rising prices, but what has been underscored by our regional and country finalists is that independent bookshops are beacons of hope amid the gloom. I have been judging this award for a decade and a half and I have never seen such depth of quality and energy in the submissions, from the newcomers to the most venerable stores. British and Irish indies continue to thrive, despite the overall climate, with entrepreneurship and creativity.
“These finalists are wonderfully unique and idiosyncratic, but there is a link in that all of them are not confined by the four walls of their shops – they are out in their communities organising festivals, visiting schools, bringing authors to town. Sure, they sell a lot of books but that is just the start: independent bookshops are Britain and Ireland’s local cultural lynchpins.”
The shops will vie to win their region first before contending for the overall prize, which will be announced when The British Book Awards ceremony returns to central London on Monday, May 12. The overall Independent Bookshop of the Year winner will also be in the running to be crowned Book Retailer of the Year.
Gardners’ UK sales manager Ruth Gardner added: “Every independent bookshop has a unique story to tell, and we are proud to support those who make reading more accessible and magical for everyone. This award recognizes their invaluable contribution. Independent bookshops are at the heart of the book world, bringing communities together and championing the joy of reading. We’re proud to support the Independent Bookshop of the Year award and would like to all entrants the very best of luck and can’t wait to be part of this journey with them.”