Formerly the Whitbread Awards.
The Costa Book Awards were originally established in 1971 by Whitbread Plc.
Costa, the UK's fastest-growing coffee shop chain, announced its takeover of the sponsorship of the UK's most prestigious book prize in 2006, the year both Costa and the Book Awards celebrated their 35th anniversary.
Since 1971, the awards have recognised a wide range of books and authors across all genres, and the Costa Book Awards is the only book prize to use a category system that includes First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book.
Since the introduction of the Book of the Year award in 1985, it has been won seven times by a novel, three times by a first novel, five times by a biography, five times by a collection of poetry and once by a children's book.
Established in 1971. Sponsored by Costa.