The Gutter Bookshop wins Independent Bookshop of the Year Award at The British Book Awards
Dublin’s The Gutter Bookshop has won Independent Bookshop of the Year at The British Book Awards (or “Nibbies”). It was awarded the best independent bookshop in Ireland back in March. This is the first time that the bookshop has won the overall title, having previously claimed the regional award in 2015, 2012, and 2011. Sponsors Gardners Books presented the bookshop with a cheque for £5000 to be invested in the day-to-day running of the shop or in potential improvements.
““Thank you to all our customers and to all the people who buy books from independent bookshops. You make us what we are and you make our high street diverse.””
The Gutter Bookshop beat seven other regional winners for the prize. It was chosen for the regional prize by a panel of expert judges, who as part of the selection process read testimonials by local customers submitted online to the BBA website. Founded in 2009, the bookshop trades from two sites in Dublin and Dalkey, and has cleverly expanded into non-book stock such as children’s puppets and tote bags. As Oscar Wilde said – also the reason for the name of the shop – “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Shop owner Bob Johnston with Victoria Hislop (left) and ceremony host Lauren Laverne (right)
The Gutter Bookshop beat seven other regional winners for the prize at The British Book Awards, a glamorous awards ceremony on Monday 8 May at Grosvenor House in central London. The evening celebrated the entirety of the book world, bringing together authors, publishers, industry insiders, booksellers, librarians and literary agents. Produced by leading industry magazine The Bookseller, The British Book Awards represent a high point in the book trade’s calendar, with awards including Publisher of the Year, Book Retailer of the Year, and the Books of the Year awards. The latter recognise the publishing process as well as the books themselves.
