READ all about it! Bridge Books in Dromore has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s Retail NI High Street Heroes Awards.

Over 15,000 customers voted in the online poll for their favourite independent retailers across Northern Ireland, with Bridge Books making the top three in the ‘Best Generalist Retailer’ category.

The gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced at an awards ceremony next Wednesday (August 21) in Belfast City Hall.

Bridge Books owner, Dromore woman Lesley Price, was delighted to be shortlisted.

High Street Heroes Awards finalist, Bridge Books. The ‘little bookshop with a big heart’.

placeholder image — High Street Heroes Awards finalist, Bridge Books. The ‘little bookshop with a big heart’.

“It’s lovely to be representing the area and, more importantly, Dromore,” she told the Chronicle.

“I will be in business 29 years in October. I opened the shop shortly after leaving university; it’s all I ever wanted to do.

“I have very loyal and supportive customers, and I have a lot of customers from mainland UK.”

Bridge Books, which has also been shortlisted in the past two years for Irish Bookshop of the Year, is one of only five independent bookshops in Northern Ireland.

Lesley describes her business as “a little bookshop with a big heart”. It’s full of lovely books, bookish gifts, jigsaws, cards and stationery.

Lesley added: “I don’t think anyone doesn’t want to win an award.

“I’m guaranteed gold, silver or bronze, so I guess I’m already a winner. It should be a great night.”

ABC Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy and Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage, extended their congratulations to Lesley and Bridge Books on making the shortlist for the High Street Heroes Awards.

They said: “Good luck to Lesley as the gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast City Hall.”

Retail NI chief executive, Glyn Roberts, commented: “Our awards are different - they are a public vote, with no judges and it is local consumers deciding who wins.

“Congratulations to all those businesses who made it on to the shortlist. They do so much to serve the community and ensure that the local high street is still a thriving place to shop and socialise.”