‘FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR PAPER DELIVERED TO THEM, THAT’S KEEPING THEM IN THEIR HOUSE, AND IT’S PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH’
NEWSAGENTS STEPPING UP TO HELP COMMUNITY IN TIME OF NEED
NEWSAGENTS BACKING THE ECHO’S HOME DELIVERY CAMPAIGN AS HUNDREDS GET THEIR FAVOURITE DAILY PAPER DELIVERED TO THEIR FRONT DOOR:
“IT’S absolutely exploded,” are the words of one newsagent whose business has boomed since the Government’s announcement they were permitted to remain open through the coronavirus pandemic.
The closure of non-essential retailers has meant that newsagents and corner shops become an even more vital service in their communities.
Newsagents and paper deliveries are working harder than ever, recruiting more staff and taking on extra customers to ensure local news is brought to readers.
“We have had phone calls from people all over Cardiff begging us for them,” said Mark Duddan, whose family have been running a newsagents on Albany Road for 70 years.
Mark revealed that it is part of our readers’ routine to be able to pick up a newspaper in the morning, and family members of older vulnerable people are relying on the delivery service to keep their loved ones inside.
Mark runs Albany Road Newsagents in Cardiff, and he said the business has had at least 10 new customers ordering papers through their delivery service every day since lockdown began.
“I have had a couple of former paper boys who have come back to help out and we are doing alright.
“For elderly people to have their paper delivered to them, that’s keeping them in their house, it’s protecting their health,” said 48-year-old Mark, who is the fifth generation of his family to run a newsagents.
The Federation of Independent Retailers has worked with the News Media Association, which represents local and national newspapers, to create a letter for deliverers to carry with them.
It can be shown to the relevant authorities if asked whether their journey is essential.
The measure comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised on Monday, March 23 that people use delivery services wherever necessary to negate the need for them to leave home.
This sentiment was echoed by the Education Secretary for England, Gavin Williamson, who said: “Local newspapers are absolutely vital when it comes to reporting on some of the key messages that we all need to take on board so we can tackle this virus.”
Many people do not have access to news online, and Mark’s self-proclaimed passion for news is ensuring that people in the CF23 and CF24 areas can instead have their news delivered to their door. John Gough who runs Fourways Newsagents in Penarth echoed Mark’s sentiments, and stressed that it’s not just newspapers that local people are relying on being delivered. “We have taken on 200 plus deliveries, and people are still ringing,” he said.
John has run the newsagents for 24 years, and now runs it alongside his son James Gough.
The 64-year-old said so many people are asking them to deliver further afield, but for now, they can only cover Penarth, Llandough, Sully and Penarth Marina.
The 4am daily start is worth it for
For elderly people to have their paper delivered to them, that’s keeping them in their house, it’s protecting their health
John and his son as they continue to run an important service which is growing in demand.
At times of uncertainty, the flow of reliable information is key, and those who sell and deliver the Echo are enabling this to happen.
Over recent weeks, reporters have continued to report on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting people all over south Wales.
It has updated residents on what is happening in their neighbourhoods and shared good news stories coming from their communities.
We will continue to share the stories that matter to you, in partnership with shops, newsagents, and deliverers.