Final 62 James Patterson grant recipients revealed

Independent bookshops from St Ives to Ireland are among the 62 to receive the final round of grants from author James Patterson.

The bestselling writer first announced he would give bookshops grants in June 2014 and has now handed out more than £500,000 to 272 indies for new projects, renovations and storytelling corners to help boost reading.

Patterson wanted to donate the money because he is “committed to bringing attention to the important contributions of independent bookshops” and “especially concerned with inspiring children to become lifelong readers”.

Patterson asked indies to submit applications for the grants explaining what they would do with the money. Successful bookshops have received donations of between £250 to £5,000.

The recipients of the latest and final round of grants can be viewed below, with bookshops (full list below) across the UK and Ireland benefitting.

James Patterson with recipients of the bookshop grants at a reception in London.

Following his support and generosity to the book trade, Patterson was honoured with the 2016 Outstanding Contribution to the Book Industry at The British Book Industry Awards earlier this week - the first ever author to receive this accolade.

Patterson said: “I have been completely overwhelmed by just how many independent bookshops have applied for grants again this year, and yet again have been impressed and enthused by the creativity of booksellers. I am extremely proud and honoured to accept the Outstanding Contribution to the Book Industry Award.”

Tim Godfray c.e.o of The Booksellers Association, added that Patterson had also supported the industry by providing the Middle School children’s bag to be created for the Books Are My Bag promotion in 2014 and supported school libraries through World Book Day and the WoBoD Award, donating another £50,000 over two years - given directly to support the winning schools. “With James’ help, we have allowed independent booksellers to be innovative and creative in reaching children through the bookshop,” Godfray said.

Rosamund de la Hey, president of The Booksellers Association, added: “I think it’s fair to say that no author has done more to support the cause of independent booksellers than James Patterson. James’ support and faith in us goes way beyond the financial.  He has given us the courage to try new ideas, to drive sales and put books into the hands of our favourite customers, children, in ever greater numbers. There is a wonderful collaborative spirit between indie booksellers.  James’ huge generosity tapped into this and gave us the energy, courage and confidence to get these many and various projects off the ground  and to help us shout ever louder about how much we love children’s books.”
 

The 62 independent bookshops to be allocated grants include:

Blessington Bookstore - Blessington, Ireland
Deeside Books - Ballater
Rogans Books - Bedford
Wardle & Jones - Scarborough
Regency Bookshop - Surbiton
Bookshop Kibworth - Kibworth
Stoke Newington Bookshop - London
Book Nook - Hove
Sevenoaks Bookshop - Sevenoaks
Falmouth Bookseller - Falmouth
Just Books - Hebden Bridge
St Ives Bookseller - St Ives
Westbourne Bookshop - Westbourne
Bakewell Bookshop - Bakewell
Books Plus - Cardiff
Crediton Community Bookshop - Crediton
Village Bookshop - Dulwich, London
City Books - Hove
Vibes & Scribes - Cork, Ireland
Pea Green Boat - London
Ebb & Flo - Chorley
Fred Holdsworth Bookshop - Ambleside
Haslemere Bookshop - Haslemere
Kenilworth Books - Kenilworth
Hedgehog - Penrith
Forum Books Kids - Corbridge
Drake the Bookshop - Stockton on Tees
Ilfracombe Bookshop - Ilfracombe
Michaels Bookshop - Ramsgate
Edinburgh Bookshop - Edinburgh
Barnards Bookshop  - Uxbridge
Browsers Bookshop - Woodbridge
Chepstow Bookshop - Chepstow
Mainstreet Trading Company - St Boswells
Review Bookshop  - Peckham, London
Rocket Science  - Brighton
Pages of Hackney - London
Far From the Madding Crowd - Linlithgow
Paragon Books - Sidmouth
Little Mouse Books - Maidstone
Bookhive - Norwich
Burway Books - Church Stretton
Cogito Books  - Hexham
Moffat Bookshop - Moffat
Newcastle West Bookshop - Newcastle
Lahinch Bookshop - Lahinch, Ireland
Argyll Book Centre  - Lochgilphead
Stone House Books - Kilkenny, Ireland
Bookmark - Grantown on Spey
Art & Artisan - Bishops Castle
Children's Bookshop - Huddersfield
Grove Bookshop - Ilkely
Atkinson Pryce - Biggar
Bookstore Brierlow - Buxton
Gerrards Cross Bookshop - Gerrards Cross
Hungerford Bookshop - Hungerford
Midleton Books - Midleton, Ireland
Quayside Books - Teignmouth
Sarum College Bookshop - Salisbury
Nairn Bookshop - Nairn
Ottie & The Bea - London
Carrigaline Bookshop - Carrigaline, Ireland
Edge of the World Bookshop - Penzance