GRIFFIN Books is set to benefit from part of a £120,000 grant awarded to 68 independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland.

Bestselling author and bookshop devotee, James Patterson, has announced the second round of independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland to receive grants following his pledge to donate £250,000 in June 2014.

More than £130,000 has already been allocated to 73 independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland following the first round of applications in September 2014. The remaining grant allocation of £120,000 has now been allocated to a further 68 bookshops, including the Penarth store, enabling even more initiatives to get underway which will help get children reading.

Donations will be used to fund ventures ranging from refurbishment and expansion of children’s sections, to organising a bedtime reading project and pyjama day, to creating a mobile ‘book bus’.

The grants will allow carpet, shelving and signage to be replaced and will ensure further outreach to local schools, as well as providing the means for in-store events and book clubs for children.

Mel Griffin, the owner of Griffin Books in Penarth, said she was "absolutely thrilled" to receive a grant of around £1,300.

She said the money will go towards furniture and equipment for the shop, as well as helping to set up a toddlers story time group and other book clubs.

"Anything we can do to get youngsters into reading is good as it's a key part of their education," she said.

She added they hoped to launch all their new kit during Independent Bookshop Week (June 20-27).

"Hopefully we will have events every day," she said.

Any independent bookshop with a dedicated children’s book section was eligible for a grant of between £250 and £5,000. Patterson is committed to bringing attention to the important contributions of independent bookshops, and he is especially concerned with inspiring children to become lifelong readers. In a similar initiative in September 2013, Patterson pledged $1 million to bookshops across the US.

Following the success of this year’s grants, and the exciting work being implemented by bookshops across the country, James Patterson is also announcing a second donation of £250,000 to independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland in an unprecedented show of financial support by an individual for the sector.

James Patterson said: “I have been completely overwhelmed by just how many people have applied for the grants second time round, and yet again have been impressed and enthused by the calibre of the applications.

"It’s been very exciting to see the ideas from the first round in action. I have again worked to identify independent bookshops for whom this money may make a difference and I’m excited to follow their progress. I can’t wait to see what the UK and Ireland’s incredible and pioneering bookshops propose for next year.”

Tim Walker, president of The Booksellers Association, said: “We are very much looking forward to seeing the grant funding being implemented by the successful bookshops. We are thrilled that so many UK and Irish indies have shown such creativity and passion in their applications. For the lucky shops, the James Patterson money will make a real difference to how they reach children and encourage them to read. The announcement of a further donation of £250,000 is fantastic news for bookshops and anyone who loves reading. We are delighted that James Patterson is continuing to act on his love of bookshops and his appreciation of their vital importance to cultural and community life.”

Eligible bookshops can apply for a grant via the Booksellers Association website.

http://www.booksellers.org.uk/campaigns/jamespattersonlovesbookshops