Griffin Books in Penarth has been named the best bookshop in Wales.
Based on Windsor Road in the seaside Town, Griffin Books will now go on to compete against eight other shops from across the UK to be crowned the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year at The British Book Awards in May.
Whittled down from 9 finalists across Wales announced last month, the awards celebrate bookshops that continue to draw book lovers to towns and cities across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The overall winner, who'll be announced at Grosvenor House in May, receives a cheque for £5,000 from Gardeners and will go on to compete for Book Retailer of the Year.
Griffin Books is the Welsh winner for the fourth time in six years, with 2025 seeing the business expand into a unit next door, creating a new space dedicated ot children and teens, whilst freeing up room in the main shop for more adult titles and non-book items. That's been supported by events, subscriptions, school activity and more, seeing sales rise by a third in the year.
Ruth Gardner, Gardner’s UK sales manager, said: “Independent bookshops are the heart of our literary communities, inspiring readers, championing new voices, and keeping the magic of books alive. Their passion and dedication to making reading more accessible and meaningful for all should be celebrated. We’re proud to recognise their remarkable impact and warmly congratulate this year’s Independent Bookshop of the Year Regional and Country Winners in this highly regarded award.”
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