CRICKHOWELL’S Bookish is one of the nine finalists in the prestigious Independent Bookshop of the Year competition.

After being announced as regional winner for Wales for the second year running, Bookish was whittled down from an overall shortlist of 49 and will now join the eight regional and country finalists for the chance to take the overall crown.

In the East of England, The Book Hive of Norwich the regional accolade, while in London newcomer

BrOOK’s in Pinner fought of fierce competition from a shortlist including Housmans, Gay’s the Word and Burley Fisher Books. In the North of England the award-winning Forum Books of Corbridge, Northumberland triumphed, while in Ireland, Philip’s Book Shop of Mallow was the

winner.

Among a nominations-heavy South West England the finalist was children’s, local, and arts and crafts specialists Winstone’s Hunting Raven of Frome, while in the highly competitive South East England, Lee-on- Solent ’s The Book Shop was announced as the area winner.

In the Midlands, children’s bookshop Button & Bear of Shrewsbury was regional winner, while the

radical political bookshop Lighthouse in Edinburgh was the choice for Scotland.

The overall winner of the Independent Bookshop of the Year Award will receive £5,000 to be invested in the day-to-day running of the shop (sponsored by Gardners Books). This will be announced at the British Book Awards ceremony on June 29, 2020 at The JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel.

Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller’s managing editor, said, “The independent book shops who have won our regional and country categories are those which have not only survived but thrived in the tough trading conditions of today’s high street. There are big differences in terms of the customer bases they serve, but the through-line between them all is that they are suffused with energy, innovation and are true hubs of their communities.”

Bookish owner Emma Corfield-Walters said, “This is a huge boost this morning. Thank you so much to everybody who has helped make Bookish what it is and massive congratulations to our fellow fabulous regional finalists.”