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Home | The British Book Awards

Independent Bookshop of the Year

These nine superb independent bookshops are already winners, having emerged as the best of a 76-strong bunch in the regional and country rounds of this Award. They now compete for the flagship title of Independent Bookshop of the Year, plus an accompanying £5,000 from sponsor Gardners. All battled immense challenges on their high streets in 2025 but emerged stronger than ever, thanks to in-built resilience, agility and, above all, a deep passion for books.

The winner of this award will join the shortlist for Book Retailer of the Year.

East England
Island of Ireland
London
Midlands
North England
Scotland
South-East England
South-West England
Wales

Winner

Book Lovers Bookshop

Scotland

From an inspiring shortlist of nine indie bookshops that triumphed in the regional and country rounds of this award, it is Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh that scoops the overall title, alongside the £5,000 from sponsor Gardners.

This is truly a one-of-a-kind bookseller. Crowdfunded and not yet two years old, it is the UK’s first bricks-and-mortar romance store and has gone down a storm among its customers. It is exceptionally inclusive, with a superbly curated range that celebrates romantic fiction in all its forms, particularly from underrepresented voices.

Founder Caden Armstrong – a 25-year-old American who moved to Edinburgh to study and stayed – built her close-knit community through more than 50 events in 2025, including one with Elsie Silver that sold out in less than a minute. There was also the First Date Romance Festival, hosted with fellow Edinburgh indie Lighthouse Bookshop, plus great collaborations with publishers on projects such as special editions, early sales and exclusive events.

Opening a specialist bookshop in the current climate may have been a gamble, but phenomenal early commercial results suggest this genre is not as niche as some think. Book Lovers is also reaching far beyond its city thanks to outstanding engagement with romance fans on Instagram and TikTok.

Visiting novelists have taken the shop to their hearts as well. “It feels inclusive, welcoming and joyful,” said one; “Truly special… we’re so lucky to have them,” added another.

The British Book Awards judges agreed. “Book Lovers Bookshop is such an affecting story. It has a very clear focus, ambition and identity and has quickly made its mark. They’ve demonstrated great determination, hard work and creativity.”

The nine indie bookshops on this shortlist were the regional and country winners of this award. As the winner of this category, Book Lovers Bookshop joins the shortlist for Book Retailer of the Year.

Regional & Country Winners

Backstory

London

Backstory in Balham is the London winner in just its third full year. It is a social and cultural meeting point as much as a shop and packs a lot into a small space, including nearly 50 events in 2025. “Backstory is a rare gem that reminds you of the magic of human connection,” said one customer. It is increasingly powerful digitally as well, having set itself the ambitious target of becoming the biggest independent bookshop on the internet.

Book Lovers Bookshop

Scotland

Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh, the Scotland category winner, is the UK’s first bricks-and-mortar romance store. Crowdfunded and only a year-and-a-half old, it already has a high profile thanks to very good and diverse stock selection and a special community feel. Book clubs and events are hugely popular; one, with Elsie Silver, sold out in less than a minute. “They’ve created a space that feels inclusive, welcoming and joyful,” said a visiting author.

FOLDE Dorset

South-West England

FOLDE Dorset in Shaftesbury is the South-West England winner, and a nature-writing bookshop that is a destination and haven for people from much further afield. Interest has been such that it expanded its tiny premises in 2025, while also ramping up events, book clubs and social media. Befitting its social and sustainable purposes, it is a net-zero business in scope one and two terms, and one of the first bookshops to secure B-Corp status.

Griffin Books

Wales

Griffin Books in Penarth is the Wales winner for the fourth time in six years – testament to its consistent success and constant renewal. There was a big step forward in 2025 when a unit became available next door to the shop, creating a new space dedicated to children and teens while freeing up room in the main shop for more adult titles and non-book items. Bolstered by events, subscriptions, schools activity and much more, sales rose by nearly a third in 2025.

P&G Wells

South-East England

South-East England winner P&G Wells lays claim to the title of Britain’s oldest bookseller, having traded from its site in Winchester since the 18th century. It has made very good use of that heritage, including via the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, who lived just down the street. Hand-selling, events, festivals and school partnerships are among many strengths. “You can tell immediately that the shop is run with heart,” said one review.

The Book Hive

East England

The Book Hive in Norwich is the East England winner. It rolled with the punches of rising costs and falling spending and achieved double-digit sales growth in 2025. The team of five averaged two in-store and external events a week, bolted on a free schools programme to its Mannington Book Bash literary festival and supported local literacy charities. They ran excellent social media activity and even found time to publish their own books through the Propolis imprint.

The Rabbit Hole

Midlands

The Rabbit Hole in Brigg, the Midlands winner, was among many bookshops battling a drop in its high street footfall in 2025. It responded by diversifying, putting on more events and finding new partners in schools, libraries and the wider community. The small team worked hard to fund and stage the No Limits Festival and ran a market stall in nearby Grimsby. It has been a particularly good supporter of local-interest books and independent authors.

The Secret Bookshelf

Island of Ireland

The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus, County Antrim is the Island of Ireland winner for the second time in three years. Children’s books were a particular focus in 2025, with an overhaul of its kids' room to better meet the needs of those with autism, plus extensive work with schools. Events stepped up a level too, and the team ran their own book festival while supporting others. Sales grew by nearly a third as a result.

Truman Books

North England

Truman Books in Farsley near Leeds, the North England winner, is among the breed of bookshops that launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it has never looked back. Its energetic team averaged an event a week in 2025, ran their own Lit Fest and launched community initiatives such as Truman’s Book Club Social and the Farsley Big Read. Schools partnerships and storytimes have added to the mix, and it has been a big champion of diverse voices.