A bookshop in Abingdon is one of ten regional finalists in a prestigious independent bookshop award.

Mostly Books, in Stert Street, Abingdon, is one of 59 independent publishers selected across nine different regions and countries as finalists for The British Book Awards 2023 Independent Bookshop of the Year.

The categories included South-East England, South-West England, North England, Scotland and Wales, London, the midlands, east England and Ireland.

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The Abingdon bookshop was listed under the South-East category, in which there were 10 booksellers selected in total.

The bookshops will compete to win their region first, which will be announced on Thursday, March 16, before contending for the overall prize, announced at The British Book Awards winner ceremony at Grosvenor House on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller managing editor and chair of the Independent Bookshop of the Year judges, said: “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.

“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 localcommunities.

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

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1