Ullapool Bookshop amongst ‘beacons of hope’ on British Book Awards shortlist

IT is championed by household name authors and a magnet for bookworms for miles around.

And now a Wester Ross bookshop is turning a page on a new chapter of its impressive story with another top award nod.

Ullapool Bookshop is the only Highland representative in a ten-strong Scottish shortlist vying for the Independent Bookshop of the Year title. The awards have been dubbed “the BAFTAs of the book trade”.

From a record number of submissions, 72 independent bookshops are listed as finalists across nine different regions and countries, including ten in Scotland.

The British Book Awards celebrates stores that reach beyond the literary landscape and bring books to the heart of local communities.

The Ullapool store came to national attention in 2021 when manager Katharine Douglas put out an appeal for then-Twitter followers in a bid to reach the 600 mark by that coming weekend.

In the event she increased the followers tenfold with authors Inspector Rebus creator Ian Rankin, fellow crime writer Liam McIlvanney and award-winning novelist Jenni Fagan all tweeting their support.

It has also been at the heart of many an Ullapool Book Festival and been involved in World Book Day events involving local children.

Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller managing editor, said: “The last year has been a drab time for the High Street with declining footfall and rising prices, but what has been underscored by our regional and country finalists is that independent bookshops are beacons of hope amid the gloom.

“I have been judging this award for a decade and a half and I have never seen such depth of quality and energy in the submissions, from the newcomers to the most venerable stores.”

He said indies continue to thrive and that the “wonderfully unique and idiosyncratic” finalists “are not confined by the four walls of their shops – they are out in their communities organising festivals, visiting schools, bringing authors to town. Sure, they sell a lot of books but that is just the start: independent bookshops are Britain and Ireland’s local cultural lynchpins.”

The shops will vie to win their region first before contending for the overall prize, which will be announced when The British Book Awards ceremony returns to London on Monday, May 12.

The overall Independent Bookshop of the Year winner will also be in the running to be crowned Book Retailer of the Year.

The British Book Awards aka ‘the Nibbies’ has been the leading awards for the book trade since 1990. The awards affirm, connect and energise all who have a hand in creating books and all who read them, by showcasing the authors and illustrators who have stirred our hearts and imaginations, and the industry behind the scenes who have brought them to readers.

Judged by leading industry experts, authors, journalists and celebrities it is regarded as ‘the BAFTAs of the book trade’.

The Scottish shortlist is:

Heron & Willow | Jedburgh

Far From the Madding Crowd | Linglithgow

Night Owl Books | East Linton

Seahorse Bookstore | Ardrossan

The Bookhouse | Broughty Ferry

The Book Nook | Stewarton

The Edinburgh Bookshop | Edinburgh

The Ginger Cat Bookshop | Bridge of Weir

The Wee Bookshop | Dollar

Ullapool Bookshop | Ullapool

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