Maldon Books in finals of The British Book Awards 2026

Group - the Maldon Books team smile for the camera <i>(Image: Maldon Books)</i>
Group - the Maldon Books team smile for the camera (Image: Maldon Books)
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An independent Maldon bookshop has reached the finals of a national award.

Maldon Books, in High Street, is in the run for the title of Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards 2026.

The shop, which opened in December 2019, is an East of England finalist in the Regional and Country category.

A spokesperson for the bookshop said in an online statement: “What great news to wake up to.

“We're so pleased to be finalists in this year's British Book Awards.

“The biggest well done to our brilliant team, who work ever so hard, and huge congratulations to all the finalists – bookshops are truly amazing.”

The British Book Awards celebrate books and authors across a number of categories.

The ceremony is on May 11 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London and will be livestreamed.

The shop was founded by Olivia Rosenthall, who opened Maldon Books on December 7, 2019, after working in bookshops and wanting an independent store in the town centre.

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