An independent bookshop in Ripon has been shortlisted for a national honour at the British Book Awards.
The Little Ripon Bookshop, run by husband and wife Simon and Gill Edwards, has been named among ten finalists for the Children’s Bookseller of the Year category.
Judges cited the shop’s creative approach and eye-catching window displays as part of its appeal.
The shortlist includes independent retailers from across the UK and Ireland, alongside major chain Waterstones. The category is sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Simon told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“The Nibbies, with its nib-shaped golden trophies, is like the book industry’s Oscars and it is a great honour for us to be shortlisted, when considering how many booksellers there are in the UK and Ireland.”
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on May 11.
Gill, who will attend the ceremony, said:
“When we opened in 2009 our objective was to bring enjoyment to Ripon’s high street and offer a safe and attractive place for children to browse and buy books.”
“We think it’s important that they see books and make their own choices (sometimes with our help, but they often know exactly what they want!)”
Established in 2009, the Westgate shop has built a reputation locally for its range of children’s titles as well as fiction and non-fiction for adults.
It caters to a broad readership, from young children to teenagers, with authors such as Malorie Blackman, John Green, Alice Oseman and Leigh Bardugo among those stocked.
When announcing the shortlist, judges said:
“The Little Ripon Bookshop aims to bring the fun into children’s books – an approach encapsulated by a homemade Steampunk-style book-dispensing machine the team built for World Book Day.”
“Other highlights of 2025 included a Gruffalo visit and school book fairs. Weekly story times and the Book Monkeys Book Club are part of the mix, and one of the group’s earliest participants has grown into an assistant bookseller.”
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, said:
“Simon and Gill are BID members whose tremendous business enriches the lives of so many people.
"Their community focus and outreach, particularly to families with young children, is exceptional and we wish them all the very best for May 11.”
The British Book Awards, often referred to as “The Nibbies”, recognise achievements across the publishing industry, with winners set to be revealed at the London ceremony.
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