A popular independent bookshop, that's been trading in Stow-on-the-Wold since the late 1970s, has made it to the finals of The British Book Awards 2023 Independent Bookshop of the Year.
Tucked away in Digbeth Court, the bookshop has built a loyal customer base over the years for its friendly and quirky appeal.
Named after the founding owners' two pet Borzoi dogs, shoppers are often greeted by wagging tails as they hunt out unusual and specialist titles.
The Borzoi Bookshop is now up against 58 other bookshops from across the UK in a bid to scoop the prestigious award, which will be announced at Grosvenor House London on Monday 15 May 2023.
Sarah Dennis, who took over the Cotswold
bookshop in April 2021, said: 'Owning
an independent bookshop for me is so much more than just doing a job or running
a business; it’s a dream and a vocation. The Borzoi team love what they
do and every day they put their hearts and souls into making our bookshop a
special place.
'It’s wonderful to be given this recognition from The Bookseller, which is at the very centre of our trade. These awards play such an important role in celebrating independent bookshops and it’s an honour to be a part of that and to be in the company of the other wonderful finalists.'
Chair of the Independent Bookshop of the Year judges, Tom Tivnan, 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 local communities. We have entered a new golden age for independent bookshops.'
Other finalists in the south west region include bookhaus, Max Minerva’s and Storysmith in Bristol as well as Mr B’s Emporium in Bath and Bert’s Books in Swindon which went viral earlier this year for its tongue-in-cheek window display of Prince Harry's new book Spare alongside bestseller How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie.
Regional winners will be announced on Thursday 16 March 2023 ahead of the final ceremony in May 2023.
