Congratulations to Medina Book Shop in Cowes, which has been named as a finalist (South-East England) for Independent Bookshop of the Year.
This is the 35th year of the Bookseller Awards that are sponsored by Gardners. Tom Tivnan, managing editor, The Bookseller, says,
“The past 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.
“We have never seen such depth of quality and energy in the submissions, from the newcomers to most venerable stores. British and Irish indies continue to thrive, despite the overall climate, with entrepreneurship and creativity.
“These finalists are wonderfully unique and idiosyncratic, but there is a link in that all of them 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.”
Medina Book Shop
Managed by Paul Armfield, Medina Book Shop on Cowes High Street, is a treasure trove of all things literature.
As well as selling a wonderfully curated selection of books, cards and literature-related gifts, the book shop is also home to wonderfully intimate performances from writers, poets and musicians.
Visit the Medina Bookshop website to find out more and join us in rooting for Paul and his great team. They truly are “local cultural lynchpins”.
