Independent bookshop numbers remain near 10-year high despite high street decline
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Britain's independent bookshops are "bucking the trend of high street decline", with the number of stores last year remaining close to a recent 10-year high, says a trade group. The Booksellers Association reported that there were 1,052 independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland at the end of 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year's figure of 1,063.
Owners attribute the sector's resurgence in recent years to Covid-19 lockdowns and a subsequent increase in enthusiasm for reading, events, and the physical spaces of bookshops. From a record low of 867 independent bookshops in 2016, numbers have rebounded to a peak of 1,072 shops in 2022.
Nic Bottomley, who operates Mr B’s Emporium in Bath, said events and curated book subscription services have become an increasingly important part of his business. Mr B’s Emporium hosts more than 50 of its own events per year, such as author talks, plus many more for other organisations – including launch parties at the shop or pop-up sales elsewhere.
"Bookshops tend to be run by pretty energised creative people who are looking for opportunities to do different things," he said. "You have to not just be a shop, but be a shop that feels like it’s a warm, welcoming, experiential place.". He added: "I’m not saying that that doesn’t exist in in other forms of retail, but it’s at the heart and soul of book selling.".
Mr Bottomley, who holds the position of executive chair at the Association, pointed out the unique advantage bookshops have thanks to the know-how of their staff. He remarked: "The public do often regard us as somehow expert, something like a semi-professional, rather than just a person at a till you know that there is an assumed knowledge. ".
