A SALISBURY bookshop has been singled out for its "excellent" stock management and "second-to-none" community engagement.

Sarum College Bookshop was shortlisted with the honourable mention in the regional competition for the Independent Bookshop of the Year awards.

One of the judges, Blake Brooks of the Bookseller, congratulated the bookshop's entry by saying: "This year’s submissions were of an incredibly high standard and our judging panel were very impressed with the hard work, creativity and enthusiasm that was evident in your submission. "

And industry magazine The Bookseller stated: "While pipped to the post of their respective regions, several shortlisted indies were particularly praised by judges.

"In the Southwest region, Sarum College Bookstore was noted for its "excellent stock management and second-to-none community engagement," which has led to ongoing success despite a difficult Christian bookselling market."

Recently, the shop hosted two US publishers last, Gregory Hatrak from St Vladimir's Seminary Press in New York and Steve Ayers from Baker Academic in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The publishers' UK sales partner, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK), arranged the visit so the pair could see a "good example of a Christian bookshop" which sells many of their titles.

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