An independent bookshop in Penarth has been named the Wales winner in The British Book Awards 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year category.
Griffin Books was among nine regional and country winners announced today, selected from a shortlist of 76 finalists across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The awards celebrate independent bookshops that continue to bring creative and innovative bookselling to communities while supporting local high streets and the wider creative industries.
The Penarth store has now claimed the Wales title for the fourth time in six years, reflecting its continued growth and strong connection with readers in the area.
Griffin Books is a small independent bookshop located in the seaside town of Penarth in south Wales. Alongside its carefully curated range of books, the shop is known for its busy programme of author events featuring well known writers as well as emerging Welsh talent.
The shop also runs six book clubs for readers of different ages, offers bespoke book subscriptions and hosts a weekly storytime for toddlers. It regularly works with other independent businesses and supports local good causes in the community.
A major milestone came in 2025 when the shop expanded into a neighbouring unit, creating a new dedicated space for children and young adult readers. The expansion also freed up space in the main shop for more adult titles and additional non book items.
The changes, alongside a growing programme of events, subscriptions and school partnerships, helped drive significant growth, with sales rising by nearly a third during 2025.
Tom Tivnan, deputy editor of The Bookseller, said: “Our record year of submissions speaks to the fine fettle independent bookshops are in despite the myriad challenges small businesses face. In an incredibly competitive year, these nine winners are the best of best: kings and queens of local high streets, pillars of communities and – crucially in this National Year of Reading – champions of helping others discover the joy of books.
“It is a broad tent of shops that run the gamut from one of the oldest continually-run stores (there has been a bookshop at Winchester’s P&G Wells’ premises for just under 300 years) to relative newcomers like London’s Backstory. Our regional and country winners sell into niches – Edinburgh’s romance-focused Book Lovers, nature specialist FOLDE Dorset’s – or are whip-smart generalists (Carrickfergus’ The Secret Bookshelf, Penarth’s Griffin Books). But the through-line of them all is energy, innovation, entrepreneurship and having the skills to be both digitally savvy and customer-focused.”
The nine regional and country winners will now compete for the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year title.
The winner will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Monday 11 May 2026. The overall winner will receive a £5,000 prize from sponsor Gardners and will also go on to compete for the Book Retailer of the Year award.
