Poetry Pharmacy in Bishop's Castle named a British Book Awards finalist

There are not many bookshops that began life in the back of an ambulance. The Poetry Pharmacy in Bishop's Castle grew out of the Emergency Poet, a vintage 1970s ambulance from which Deborah Alma and her team have dispensed poetry since 2011 at festivals, hospitals, care settings, libraries and schools.

The idea, the shop explains, was to bring poetry to people who don't usually encounter it and to counter the perception that it is "difficult, obscure and not for the likes of me." The Poetry Pharmacy became a way to park up the ambulance and bring the therapeutic effects of poetry under one roof, with an emphasis on wellbeing and inclusivity.

This year that work was recognised nationally. The Poetry Pharmacy was named one of Shropshire's two regional finalists for Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards 2026, among 76 shops shortlisted across nine regions and countries.

Deborah Alma has lived on the Welsh and Shropshire borders for more than 30 years. She has taught creative writing at Worcester and Keele universities and edited several anthologies, and in 2025 Macmillan published a series of eight slim poetry anthologies matching the sections of the Poetry Pharmacy bookshops. The business now also has a branch on London's Oxford Street.

Back home, the shop has helped bring new energy to its town. Deb Alma and Bex Hunter of The Castle Hotel came up with Bishop's Castle Is Open, a four-day festival in September, timed with the Michaelmas Fair, that turned empty high street properties into pop-up shops, exhibitions, workshops and creative spaces. Working with the Shropshire Growth Hub, the pilot drew artists, makers and property owners, and even a pop-up from Lush.

The team is rooted in the town. Pat Edwards, who used to be Nurse Verse in the Emergency Poet ambulance, now works in the bookshop, runs Verbatim poetry open mic nights and a monthly writing workshop called Touch Paper, and directs the Welshpool Poetry Festival. Head of retail Maya Rowland, who once managed the Oxford Street branch, is now based back in Bishop's Castle working on new projects for 2026.

Alongside the bookshop, the Poetry Pharmacy offers poetry consultations, in keeping with its prescription theme.

To browse the shop, book an event or arrange a consultation, visit poetrypharmacy.co.uk.