Four Greater Manchester bookshops have been shortlisted in the The British Book Awards 2025 Independent Bookshop of the Year
The City Centre’s House of Books and Friends along with Queer Lit make the grade as well as two in Stockport, Simply Books in Bramhall and Serenity Booksellers
Independent bookshops from across the United Kingdom and Ireland continue to thrive with imagination and innovation boosting sales, amidst rising challenges on the high street.
Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller managing editor, said:
“The last year hasbeen a drab time for the High Street with declining footfall and rising prices, but what has been underscored by our regional and countryfinalists is that independent bookshops are beacons of hope amid thegloom. I have been judging this award for a decade and a half and Ihave never seen such depth of quality and energy in the submissions,from the newcomers to
From a record number of submissions, 72 independent bookshops are listed as finalists across nine different regions and countries, including ten in Scotland, North England, London, South-West England and South-East England respectively and seven in Midlands. Within these regions, Bristol alone boasts three finalists, while two Manchester bookshops succeed for the first time and Northern Ireland celebrates the most finalists ever with three shops recognised.
