A bookshop in Southville has been named as one of the best independent bookshops in the UK. Storysmith on North Street was crowned a regional winner for Independent Bookshop of the Year for the British Book Awards 2023.
The Bookseller released the lauded list that singled out Storysmith as one of three Bristol bookshops up for the award in the South West of England category alongside bookhaus in Wapping Wharf and Max Minerva's in Henleaze. There were nine regional nominees in the category.
Storysmith is an independent bookshop stocking a selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books and hosts a huge programme of events. On its website, Storysmith writes 'always the bridesmaid' referring to its previous nominations for Independent Bookshop of the Year at the National Book Awards in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
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In a statement on social media, the North Street bookshop said: "Shocked, delighted, weak-kneed, fluttery-bellied but mostly PUMPED and HYPED to discover this insane news?!
"May blessings descend on Callum and Siúbhan for being such emphatically smart readers and recommenders, truly the best booksellers in the biz and the coolest bookshop companions we could ask for - you made this happen! And to our customers who take our recommendations and share their reading lives with us like we’re a cheap and effective therapy alternative, thank you and we love you!
"Oh and this proves that Bristol really is one of the best places on earth to be a bookshop person, yes? We’re gonna tell everyone in London at the ceremony just how good we have it here doooooon’t worry."
The shop opened in October 2018 at 49 North Street and moved to its current home a few doors down offering a much bigger space. In 2022, the number of indie bookshops in the UK hit a 10-year high, with 1,072 in total, according to the Booksellers Association, after the industry enjoyed a sixth consecutive year of growth.
Storysmith, 236 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JD. Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 11am-4pm.
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