The Booksellers Association has today announced the addition of three new members to its Advisory Council. Alison Jinks (Wallingford Bookshop), Jess Paul (Max Minerva’s Bookshop) and Sheryl Shurville (Chorleywood Bookshop) are the latest additions to the Council, led by BA President Andy Rossiter (Rossiter Books) and Vice-Presidents Hazel Broadfoot (Village Books) and Fleur Sinclair (Sevenoaks Bookshop).

The Advisory Council consists of twenty-one booksellers from across the UK and from different bookshop types, including representatives from Waterstones, Gardners, WHSmith and Blackwell’s.

The Council advises the Booksellers Association on pressing issues within the bookselling community, and is consulted on BA policy, messaging, best practice and key actions within the publishing sector and wider book trade environment.

The announcement of new Council Members comes as the number of independent outlets in BA membership passes one thousand for the first time since 2013, with 1005 independent bookshops now members of the organisation, up from 875 pre-pandemic.

Meryl Halls, Managing Director of the Booksellers Association said: “We are delighted to have Alison, Jess and Sheryl join the Booksellers Association’s Advisory Council. All three are dedicated and knowledgeable booksellers who come with experience and industry insight that will be invaluable to the BA and its members as we look ahead to post-lockdown bookselling.

“As bookshops come together during a challenging time, with BA membership rising to numbers not seen for nearly ten years, it is more important than ever that we have experienced, representative and committed booksellers on hand to help steer policy and ensure that we tackle the most important issues facing bookshops today.”

Alison Jinks, Wallingford Bookshop said on joining the Council: “The bookselling community has played such a supportive and friendly part in my own bookshop experience that I hope I can help others in the same way and play a part in shaping our future.”

Jess Paul, Max Minerva’s Bookshop commented: “Being on the BA Council is a real privilege. I'm looking forward to learning more about our industry, collaborating with booksellers to overcome challenges and celebrate our successes.”

Sheryl Shurville, Chorleywood Bookshop added: “Having sat on Council a few years ago, I thought now would be the right time to get involved again. The Booksellers Association has been an inspiration during lockdown. They have been steadfast and practical with their advice over the past difficult months, which we all so greatly appreciated, so I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to offer a little bit back. I feel privileged to have over 20 years experience of the book trade and enjoyed every moment.”

Jinks, Paul and Shurville will join the Advisory Council with immediate effect, taking part in meetings and advising the BA on policy going forward. Also joining Council formally is Lucy Swinburn, Head of Books at WHS, who has taken over from Ben Carrington.