A bookshop in Crickhowell has been crowned the best independent bookshop in Wales.

Book-ish, which opened its doors on Crickhowell’s High Street in 2010, has won the regional crown at the 2022 Independent Bookshop of the Year Awards.

Book-ish is seeking to reclaim the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year crown, having won the accolade in 2020. It is the official bookshop of Green Man Festival, and the busy bookseller is co-founder of Crickhowell Literary Festival.

Emma Corfield-Walters, owner of Book-ish, tweeted from the bookshop’s account, writing: “WOW! So thrilled to be named Bookshop of the Year for Wales. Congratulations to the other 9 reinal winners, friends and wonderful booksellers all.

“A HUGE thank you to my amazing Bookish team, they absolutely deserve this for all their tireless work over the past 12 months.”

The nine regional and country winners are now in contention for the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the British Book Awards winner ceremony, which will be held at Grosvenor House, London. on Monday, May 23.

The overall Independent Bookshop of the Year winner will also compete to be crowned Book Retailer of the Year.

Sponsored by Gardners and supported by The Booksellers Association, the award celebrates nine inspiring bookshops, selected from a list of 63 finalists, which have continued to support their local communities during these turbulent times with their insider knowledge, inclusivity, digital innovations, adapted events, and, of course, books.

Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller’s managing editor, said: “This was undoubtedly the most competitive year we have ever had for Independent Bookshop of the Year, and these nine shops should feel justly proud for claiming their regional and country crowns when their fellow indies have also been flourishing. Although there are different models here, from long- time family-run shops to a community-run not-for- profit, the common thread is constant innovation and unwavering support for local communities.

“It may be counterintuitive to say, but we just may be in the golden age of independent bookselling. The last 10 or 15 years have been the most testing of times for indies as they have battled against online competition, supermarket deep discounting, rising business rates and, of course recently, a global pandemic. But they have met the challenges; indies are thriving and the number of shops is rising.

“Perhaps it is because they combine the old with the new: that almost unique insider knowledge and deep love of books which they can impart to readers, along with a digital savviness as indies use everything from crowdfunding to TikTok to reach customers and improve their businesses.”