Lymington independent bookshop Imaginairum wins best in the UK in Muddy Stilltoes awards
An independent book shop in Lymington has been named best in the UK.
In June Imaginarium, run by husband-and-wife team Daniel and Robyn Parker-Hales, beat thousands of other nominees to scoop the Muddy Stilettos title of best bookshop in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Now the shop, in Angel Court, which has been open since September 2022, has come first in the national finals.
The couple say they are “delighted” by the win.
They called the shop Imaginarium because “we wanted to give it an air of having an adventure, that promise of excitement”, and judges of the competition obviously agreed, awarding it the top one in the UK.
Robyn said: “We can’t actually believe that we won!
“We love our little shop, and we have a wonderful customer base who also love it, but it’s such an incredible feeling to be recognised for what we’re trying to achieve.
“We wanted to create a community hub, a safe space for readers to enjoy books and I think we’ve done that.”
The Booksellers Association revealed this year that numbers of independent bookshops are at a 10-year high.
Robyn says she believes they are “vital for communities”, adding: “We work with schools and colleges and host story times to encourage younger readers.
“We’ve helped raise money for charities and connected readers and book lovers through our events. The sense of connection we have with our customers is incredibly valued.”
The couple decided to open the store in Angel Court as Robyn had wanted to own one, she says, “ever since discovering the eventful adventures readers could have within the pages of a book”.
Daniel had retail experience so the pair decided to “follow our dreams”.
The Imaginarium boasts a huge selection of fiction, from under-fives to adults. They focus on science fiction and fantasy, but have something for everyone with a carefully curated selection.
There is also a pre-loved section of books.
The Imaginarium also holds regular events and hosts a book club.
