Three Bristol bookshops shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year 2023

Three Bristol bookshops have been named as regional finalists in the British Book Awards 2023 independent bookshop of the year.

The bookshops will compete to win best in the South West before competing for the overall prize which will be announced in May.

The Bookseller managing editor and chair of the Independent Bookshop of the Year judges, Tom Tivnan, said that “we have entered a new golden age for independent bookshops”.

“If there is one thing that has been driven home by these finalists it is that independent bookshops have been one of the winners of the pandemic,” said Tivnan.

“Indies have come through what could have been a hugely devastating time for the sector in their strongest position in decades.

“We have seen this generally in the increased numbers of indies throughout the UK and Ireland. But we also see it more specifically in these finalists with the shops’ innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity – all done in the service of local communities.

“We have entered a new golden age for independent bookshops.”

The three Bristol bookshops among the South West finalists are Bookhaus in Wapping Wharf, Max Minerva’s in Henleaze and Storysmith in Southville.

Bookhaus in Wapping Wharf was officially opened by David Olusoga in 2021 – photo: Martin Booth

Bookhaus co-owner Kevin Ramage said: “It is fantastic for Bookhaus to be recognised in this way, after being open for only 18 months.

“There has been a growth in independent bookshops over the last couple of years, but Bookhaus is unusual in being a large city centre shop and maybe this caught the judges’ eye.

“Making the shortlist is probably an acknowledgement of our extensive events programme, with something going on almost every week.

“It is also a tribute to the support of our customers and the great work put in by our staff team.”

Max Minerva’s moved from Westbury to Henleaze in 2022, and also have a second shop in Portishead – photo: Martin Booth

Max Minerva’s co-owner Sam Taylor said that it’s a “huge complement” for their shop to be named among the best bookshops in the UK.

“It’s lovely to be named among the finalists after a year in which we have been really busy trying to expand what we are offering and reach other communities.

“And it’s a great representation for Bristol. It just shows what change there has been in the city, an explosion of new bookshops and a hub that Bristol is now becoming for the literary scene.”

Storysmith on North Street was a bike shop before becoming a bookshop- photo: Martin Booth

Storysmith co-owner Dan Ross said that being shortlisted “is a huge validation of our efforts across 2022”.

Ross said: “It’s a real endorsement for our small team of booksellers to be listed alongside not only some of our Bristol contemporaries, but also some truly venerable and legendary bookselling institutions up and down the country.

“Our mission since the shop opened in 2018 has been to tangibly improve the literary health of the city, and we’re proud to be acknowledged for doing exactly that.

“Bristol is now without doubt one of the best places in the country to attend an event with top-flight authors of all kinds, to engage with literature and, of course, to hang out in bookshops. We’re proud to be a part of it.”

Inside Storysmith on a recent weekend – photo: Martin Booth

The 2023 South West England finalists for The British Book Awards 2023 Independent Bookshop of the Year are:

• Bert’s Books, Swindon
• Bookhaus, Bristol
• The Borzoi Bookshop, Stow-on-the-Wold
• East Gate Bookshop, Totnes
• Liznojan, Tiverton
• Max Minerva’s, Bristol
• Mr B’s Emporium, Bath
• Shrew Books, Fowey
• Storysmith, Bristol

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Bristol’s bookshop bonanza
• ‘We need independent bookshops more than ever’
• Bristol’s latest bookshop opens

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