New Bookshop Owner Tears Up Over Surprise Award Nomination!

Cassie Gerard, the owner of That Little Bookshop in Stafford, is feeling amazed and grateful after her independent bookshop was nominated for a major award less than six months after opening. Cassie described herself as 'gobsmacked' when she found out her shop was a regional finalist for the Independent Bookshop of the Year 2026, part of The British Book Awards. She said she even shed a tear when she heard the news, calling it 'sensational. ' Out of all the bookshops in the UK, only 76 were chosen, and just nine in the Midlands region, making this a very special honor for Cassie and her team.

Since opening in August, That Little Bookshop has become a cozy spot for book lovers in Stafford. The shop sells a wide range of books, from popular novels to special editions that are hard to find elsewhere. The inside of the shop is warm and inviting, with dark wooden shelves filled with books, fairy lights hanging above, and a big window that lets in lots of light. There are tables and chairs where customers can sit and read, and the shop often has people browsing for their next favorite story. In December, the shop won another award for Best New Business at a local event, showing how quickly it has become a favorite in the community.

Cassie believes that the shop’s success is thanks to the support of local book lovers. She says that while she is responsible for opening and running the shop, it is the community that has made it such a special place. People talk about the shop, visit often, and help spread the word, which has helped it grow so quickly. Cassie is now thinking about hiring more staff because the shop is busier than she expected. She says her business plan needs to be updated to keep up with all the changes. Cassie is also happy to see more independent bookshops opening in the area, which shows that reading is still very popular. With events like World Book Day and the national year of reading coming up, Cassie hopes even more people will discover the joy of books. The British Book Awards ceremony will take place in May in London, and Cassie is excited to see what happens next for her little bookshop.