Bradford Literature Festival and Waterstones Mark Over Ten Years of Partnership
January 7, 2026Longstanding collaboration supports local literary events and book sales
Since its establishment in 2014, the Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) has maintained a partnership with Waterstones, serving as the festival’s official Book Partner. This collaboration has played a significant role in hosting literary events and promoting authors and poets throughout the festival’s history.
Impact on local book sales and community engagement
Each year, the Bradford Literature Festival contributes to increased book sales at Waterstones’ Bradford store as well as at the Waterstones pop-up shop located within the BLF Festival Hub in City Park. The partnership also supports book signings following festival events. The influx of visitors attending the festival has introduced many new customers to the Bradford store, encouraging exploration of local venues and expanding readers’ collections.
Waterstones Bradford store: a historic venue
The Waterstones store in Bradford is situated in the Grade I listed Victorian Wool Exchange, constructed between 1864 and 1867. Its notable gothic architecture attracts visitors with interests in both history and literature. The Bradford Literature Festival has utilised this distinctive venue for a variety of events, including author meet-and-greets, children’s book readings, talks, and author conversations.
Notable festival participants
- Alison Weir
- Lemn Sissay
- Dr Irving Finkel
- A.C. Grayling
Statements from organisers
Syima Aslam, CEO and Artistic Director of the Bradford Literature Festival, remarked on the partnership’s significance, highlighting the range of experiences created for audiences and the consistent success reflected in book sales.
Abby Guessis, Manager of Waterstones Bradford, noted the festival’s cultural contribution to the city and expressed enthusiasm for continuing the collaboration in future years.
Further information
The Bradford Literature Festival continues to work with Waterstones to support literary culture in the region. The Waterstones Bradford store remains open to visitors, with the next festival scheduled for January 2026.
