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Sara Bowers, owner of the Steyning Bookshop in West Sussex, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Bowers, who has run the bookshop for 29 years, said she was "really surprised" by the honour, which was made to recognise the contribution to the community she had made.
The bookshop has worked with the Steyning Chamber of Trade to build initiatives to bring tourism into the town, including running author events for the Steyning Festival and the Steyning Country Fair.
"I'm sure lots of people are just as worthy, but it is so nice than an independent bookshop is recognised in these times," Bowers told The Bookseller. She added: "Business is fine, it seems to be ticking over. We are doing the same as all independent bookshops, with as many events as we can."