A BOOKSHOP in Crickhowell has won the Welsh Regional Independent Bookshop of the Year Award. By winning this, the shop has been shortlisted for the national independent bookshop of the year awards.

Nine shops have been shortlisted in total, each winning within their own region in the regional rounds of the competition. Book-ish in Crickhowell took home the regional awards, beating Chepstow Books and Gifts, Cover to Cover in Swansea, and Griffin Books in Penarth.

The winner of the national competition will be announced at the British Book Awards ceremony, known as the Nibbies, on May 13. Book-ish was chosen as the winner of the Wales category after seeing its turnover grow by nearly a third in 2018. Emma Corfield-Walters, who owns the bookshop, is also involved in organising Crickhowell’s literary festival. Since taking over the bookshop she has stepped up its social media presence and increased the range of books.

The independently-run shop was also one of the reasons Crickhowell won the top prize in the British High Street of the Year Award.

Chair of the independent bookshop of the year judges, Tom Tivnan, said: “In 2018, we had the wonderful news that indie bookshop numbers increased for the second year in a row, the first time that has happened in decades. We’ve seen that renaissance in the sector reflected in the sheer depth and breadth of submissions to this award.

“These are nine worthy winners, from regional shortlists of startling strength, all of which represent the best in British bookselling but, perhaps more importantly, are hubs of their communities.”

The winner of the overall prize will receive a £5,000 cheque from the sponsor of the awards, Gardners Books.