Books / Bookshops

Three Bristol shops shortlisted for independent bookshop of the year

By Martin Booth  Thursday Feb 22, 2024

Three Bristol bookshops are among the regional finalists for the British Book Awards 2024 Independent Bookshop of the Year.

The winner of the regional heats will be announced in March before the awards ceremony in May.

The trio of Bristol bookshops nominated are Bookhaus in Wapping Wharf, Gloucester Road Books on Gloucester Road, and Max Minerva’s in Henleaze and Portishead.

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

Gloucester Road Books is a shop on Gloucester Road that sells books – photo: Martin Booth

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

Awards organisers say that “indie bookshops on the rise as passion, community and specialist knowledge are better than an algorithm”.

“Independent bookshops from across the United Kingdom and Ireland continue to thrive with creative, specialist and community-centred activities boosting sales in the face of the cost-of-living and business rates crises…

“The award is a great opportunity to celebrates those stores that continue to support their local communities with bespoke bookselling and tailored initiatives.”

The 2024 South West England finalists for the British Book Awards 2024 Independent Bookshop of the Year are:

  • Bert’s Books, Swindon
  • Bookhaus, Bristol
  • The Borzoi Bookshop, Stow-on-the-Wold
  • Folde, Shaftesbury
  • Gloucester Road Books, Bristol
  • Harbour Bookshop, Kingsbridge
  • Liznojan Books, Tiverton
  • Max Minerva’s, Bristol
  • Shrew Books, Fowey
  • Westbourne Bookshop, Bournemouth

Main photo: Martin Booth

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