A BOOKSTORE in Penarth has been named one of the best businesses of its kind in Wales.

Griffin Books has been announced Independent Bookshop of the Year for Wales 2023 at the British Book Awards.

Owner Mel Griffin posted a message to her customers on Instagram thanking them for their support.

In the message, Ms Griffin wrote: “There are so many people to thank, but firstly, all our amazing brilliant lovely customers who support us every day, without whom none of this would be possible.”

She went on thank a few supporters by name and express the team’s overall delight at winning the award.

“Thank you @_thebookseller, thank you Gardners, and thank you to the BA who all support us every day,” said Mel.

“Thank you to the authors, local and not local, who visit us, bring us proofs, sign their books, do events for the brilliant people of Penarth and are generally just great.

“I could go on and on! This is an honour and a privilege and we are delighted.”

Penarth Times:

The award-winning Griffins

The British Book Awards said of Griffins: “Wales winner Griffin Books is an independent bookstore in Penarth with a range of fiction and non-fiction titles and a rapid home delivery service.

“The shop hosts author events, book signings, weekly toddler storytime sessions, and a number of book clubs.”

Griffin is now in contention, along with nine regional and country winners, for the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year Award, announced at The British Book Awards ceremony in London on Monday, May 15.

Tom Tivnan, chair of the Independent Bookshop of the Year judges, said it had been a great year for independent bookstores.

“Independent bookselling has come out of the other side of the pandemic at its healthiest point in decades,” said Mr Tivian.

“As a result our regional and country finalists for this year might be our strongest ever.

"The through line is innovation as all of the winners having experimented with new ways to expand their businesses to get books into more readers’ hands.

"Sometimes this is using new technologies, sometimes it is just plain old hard bookselling graft—but whatever tools they are using it is backed by the algorithm- beating personal touch.”