An Edinburgh book store has been crowned Scotland's Independent Bookshop of the Year, landing the title for the fourth time.
The Edinburgh Bookshop, found on Bruntsfield Place, also previously won the 2014 Children’s Bookseller of the Year trophy and is again celebrating success following its latest award.
The British Book Awards this morning (Wednesday) revealed the regional and country winners for the 2022 Independent Bookshop of the Year Award.
Sponsored by Gardners and supported by The Booksellers Association, organisers say the regional awards celebrate nine inspiring bookshops, selected from a list of 63 finalists, which have continued to support their local communities during these turbulent times with their insider knowledge, inclusivity, digital innovations, adapted events, and, of course, books.
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Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller’s managing editor, says: “This was undoubtedly the most competitive year we have ever had for Independent Bookshop of the Year, and these nine shops should feel justly proud for claiming their regional and country crowns when their fellow indies have also been flourishing.
"Although there are different models here, from long time family-run shops to a community-run not-for profit, the common thread is constant innovation and unwavering support for local communities.
“It may be counterintuitive to say, but we just may be in the golden age of independent bookselling. The last 10 or 15 years have been the most testing of times for indies as they have battled against online competition, supermarket deep discounting, rising business rates and, of course recently, a global pandemic.
"But they have met the challenges; indies are thriving and the number of shops is rising.
"Perhaps it is because they combine the old with the new: that almost unique insider knowledge and deep love of books which they can impart to readers, along with a digital savviness as indies use everything from crowdfunding to TikTok to reach customers and improve their businesses."
The Edinburgh Bookshop is now in contention for the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year Award, announced at the British Book Awards winner ceremony, to be held at Grosvenor House in London on Monday 23rd May 2022.
The overall Independent Bookshop of the Year winner will also compete to be crowned Book Retailer of the Year.
Congratulations to The Edinburgh Bookshop for another well-deserved success! To find out more about them, you can visit them on Instagram here.
