Newsagents deliver during time of need
A FAMILY-RUN newsagents in Camberley has been showered with messages of praise and thanks for how it has assisted vulnerable members of the community over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
H & R News in High Street has been owned by Dipak Shah, 56, and his wife Jayshree, 49, for just over three years. When lockdown began in March, the couple decided to begin delivering newspapers and groceries for free to customers who were unable to get out to the shops.
The couple, along with their children Pooja, 27, Reema, 25, and Sachin, 20, assisted a delivery team of around 20 boys and girls, led by senior employees Stuart and Calum, in making sure around 500 homes received their deliveries each day.
The couple said they wanted to do what they could to help because there are many care home residents and old people in Camberley who have “no families” or their families “live far away”.
When lockdown restrictions in Surrey Heath were lifted, H & R News continued its free delivery service, despite seeing a drop in footfall due to the pandemic and roadworks on Camberley High Street.
Many residents have since sent the couple flowers and cards as a show of appreciation for all they and their team have done for the community during the pandemic.
Mr and Mrs Shah said: “We have had difficult times since Covid-19. But we have managed to keep the shop open and make sure newspapers are delivered without fail, thanks to our family and our staff. We have had so many flowers, cards and personal visits to the shop to appreciate what we have done.”
H & R News is no stranger to going the extra mile to support its customers. Last year, the newsagents was crowned Community Champion for Spring 2019, in association with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and Reach Plc – parent company of InYourArea and publisher of the News & Mail – in recognition for its support of local events, businesses and the community.
Groceries are delivered by H & R News at cost price, with no delivery fee being charged. The shop’s newspaper delivery charge remains in place.