With Christmas approaching and many high street retailers desperately concerned about making ends meet after another lockdown, here are a selection of some of the UK’s best independent book shops that deliver nationwide.
1. La Biblioteka, Sheffield
Based in Sheffield’s city centre, La Biblioteka offers a wide range of books, magazines and gifts, including children’s picture books, literary fiction and everything in between. There’s also a specially curated ‘Made in Sheffield’ collection of novels and non-fiction. Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)
2. The Beverley Bookshop, Beverley
An independent, family-run bookshop in the market town of Beverley, near Hull, The Beverley Bookshop stocks a good mix of children’s and adult books, plus a great selection of games and puzzles. Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)
3. Bridge Books, Dromore
Up and running for 25 years, Bridge Books in Dromore, County Down in Northern Ireland stocks fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and greetings cards. The shop also has a large section of preloved fiction, and a series of clothbound classics. Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)
4. Unicorn Tree Books, Lincoln
Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln is well-loved for its broad range of books, with a special focus on religious and spiritual titles, plus an extensive range of cards, jigsaws, gifts, jewellery, candles, stationery and more. Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)
5. The Book Shop, Lee-on-the-Solent
The Book Shop in Lee-on-the-Solent has been there since the 1930s, starting out as a small lending library within a florist’s shop. Now the store carries a good selection of adult and kids’ titles, plus specially curated dyslexia friendly reads for all ages. Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)
6. The Little Bookshop, Leeds
Tucked away in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, The Little Bookshop is an independent store which opened in 2017. It offers “wonderful, diverse literature to all” and is “dedicated to sourcing a diverse range of inclusive books.” Photo: (Photo: Shutterstock)