Daydreams Bookshop based in Milngavie town centre took home the award, which is given to new bookshops based, among other things, on their first full year of National Book Tokens sales and redemptions, both of which are a measure of how well they are engaging with local booklovers.
Despite opening only in September 2024, Daydream Bookshop’s delighting of adults and children alike with their beautiful range of books – and curated additional items from predominantly local suppliers – saw them storm ahead to take the award after only four months of trading.
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Owner Elaine Sinclair and her team have won a trophy, a luxury champagne, wine, and food hamper and promotion to National Book Tokens’ large consumer database and social followers.
They also join an esteemed list of previous winners, including Suddenly on Sheaf Street in Daventry, The Book Stop in St Helen’s, The Ivybridge Bookshop in Devon and The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh.
Elaine Sinclair, owner of Daydreams Bookshop, said: “We are absolutely over the moon that our wee shop has won this national award – what a dream! We only opened our doors in September, so this award is testament to our hard-working team and amazing local community who have been overwhelmingly supportive.
“Our first Christmas was hectic but joyous in equal measures! We would like to thank our customers for choosing the gift of books and National Book Tokens for Christmas and we look forward to matching them with lots of lovely new books throughout 2025.”
Lisa Bywater, Head of Marketing at National Book Tokens said: ‘”In our fifth year of this award, which recognises the contributions that bookshops make to their local communities as well as the wider book industry – in this instance, even within just a few months of opening – we’re thrilled to celebrate a local bookshop that demonstrates all the benefits these vital businesses offer to the high street and beyond.
“Since they opened, Daydreams Bookshop have hit the ground running with the perfect offering for their community, with not only the friendly, expert book knowledge that booklovers know they can expect from their local booksellers, but also a full complement of services and experiences to delight readers of all ages. Their strong sales and redemptions of National Book Tokens in such a short space of time show their commitment to helping their customers find the perfect book gifts for every type of reader.”