Located in the heart of Notting Hill, West London, a stone’s throw away from the vibrant Portobello Market, sits one of the world’s most famous bookstores: The Notting Hill Bookshop.  

With its distinctive royal blue facade, this small but perfectly formed independent bookstore, largely unchanged for years, captured the hearts of readers across the globe when it starred in the feature film Notting Hill. The 1999 romantic comedy, directed by Richard Curtis, was set around the bookshop, and starred Hugh Grant as the shop’s owner. Now, as the 25th anniversary of the film’s release approaches, The Notting Hill Bookshop, which has always celebrated the best writing from around the world, is partnering with the Booker Prize Foundation, between 9 and 24 May, to showcase this year’s International Booker Prize. 

In a video to celebrate the collaboration, original owner Sarah Anderson reflected on The Notting Hill Bookshop’s storied past, recalling an early encounter with director Curtis, who found inspiration within the shop’s walls. ‘He lived round the corner,’ she said. ‘He came into the shop one day, and said “I’m thinking of writing a film set in a bookshop, can I sit and take notes?”’ Anderson never expected much to come of it, let alone for the film to become one of the highest-grossing British films of all time. 

Sol Noyac, a bookseller at the store and its social media manager, echoed this sentiment. ‘We definitely see translated fiction as being very popular among the younger crowd’, especially those in their twenties and thirties. ‘The International Booker Prize helps us curate the books that we think would be of value to our customers – and that we think our customers should be reading,’ Noyac added, when reflecting on the importance of the prize, which is awarded annually for the best single work of fiction from anywhere the world which has been translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland.  

So, what can visitors to The Notting Hill Bookshop expect when they come through the doors this May, as part of its collaboration with the International Booker Prize 2024? The shop will devote its window to the prize, as well as creating table displays featuring the longlisted and shortlisted books. It will also showcase bespoke recommendations of great works of translated fiction provided by the longlisted authors and translators and will run a ‘Blind Date with the Booker’ promotion. 

‘We’re really excited to hear the winner on May 21st, which actually coincides with the 25th anniversary of the release of the film,’ Howard said, noting the serendipity of the two events.  
 

You can visit The Notting Hill Bookshop and shop and see its dedicated displays for the International Booker Prize between 9 and 24 May.