Indie bookshop numbers rise for sixth year running despite challenging high street backdrop, BA finds

The number of independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland has grown for the sixth consecutive year, The Booksellers Association (BA) has reported, with membership now at its highest for 10 years.

The BA released the figures as part of its annual membership survey, which revealed that the number of independent bookshops in BA membership at the end of 2022 grew to 1,072 shops, up from 1,027 in 2021, and the lowest point of 867 in 2016. This marks a decade of growth, following 20 years of decline.

Among the new independents that opened in 2022 were Backstory in Balham, south London, Bored and Bookless in Worcester, Jam Bookshop in Shoreditch, east London, The Manga Crate in Shropshire, The Wonky Tree Bookshop in North Yorkshire, Night Owl Books in Scotland and House of Books & Friends in Manchester.

“We are clearly delighted at the continued increase in the number of indie bookshops on our high streets,” said Meryl Halls, managing director of the BA. “Taken with the expansion seen within the Waterstones estate last year, this news confirms that bookshops are crucially important – and valued – parts of our high street communities. Bookshops bring social and cultural capital to every town, village, suburb or city centre they are part of, and punch way above their weight in terms of impact and engagement, locally and nationally. We want the number of bookshops to keep rising.

“What is particularly pleasing in the indie numbers is to be able to welcome a new cohort of booksellers to the industry; those with fresh eyes, new perspectives, energy and a commitment to the cultural contribution of bookselling to our society and our economy. This new energy is so important to the future viability and diversity of our sector.

“The number of bookshops has grown gradually and slowly since 2016; during the pandemic we saw a frankly astonishing number of new entrants to bookselling. Drawn by the cultural relevance of books, reading and bookshops, inspired by the activism on display among current booksellers, seeing bookselling as a valid and rewarding career choice – these are all reasons why people open bookshops, and we want each and every one of the shops to succeed.”

She warned, however, that economic headwinds, recession, labour shortages and “massive” cost increases mean the bookselling community is more dependent than ever on support from the publishing industry. She continued: “Bookselling is not easy, and margins are extremely tight and hard-won. If we want bookshops to thrive on high streets, we have to equip them with strong support and resources, with viable commercial models, with proactive advocacy and we have to interact with them with imagination and kindness.

“We’re immensely proud at the BA of the increase in the number of bookshops, and of the impact made by our existing members. It’s our job now to ensure that this number stabilises, and that the industry, and governments – and consumers – know what is at stake when we fight for the survival of bookshops in the UK and Ireland.”