SOUTH WEST DISTRICT SPRING BULLETIN - NFRN
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SOUTH WEST DISTRICT
SPRING BULLETIN
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS April – September 2019
What is happening to our weather? We experienced four days of very warm weather
for the end of February, quite different to the snow two weeks earlier, which blocked
the A30 across Bodmin Moor, resulting in many people spending the night in the
famous Jamaica Inn. It then warmed up again during March but snow and rain is
forecast for the coming month!
The regular wholesale hub meetings with At the AGM at the end of February, I was again
Smiths News representatives at its Taunton voted South West district president and I feel
house continue. The biggest problem is Reach honoured to hold this position.
(formerly Trinity Mirror). The vehicles used to
transport newspapers from print centres to We are in the advanced planning stages for the
the South West have experienced breakdowns, visit of our next National President to our district
punctures, and have even been impounded by in July. After exploring our beautiful region, we
Ministry of Transport inspectors and the police. have decided upon the Yeovil Court Hotel. Do
All of these cause the late arrival of news to our come along, either to the dinner on the evening
shops, resulting in loss of income. of July 22 or to our district council meeting on
July 23, to hear what our new leader has planned
There have been a series of price increases for his year in office.
recently, but the biggest hike was to the
Telegraph which is now offering less than 20 I finish on a sad note with the loss of Mike
per cent discount. Meetings are being held at Eddowes, long time supporter of the NFRN,
the top level to protect NFRN members’ profits. district councillor and national councillor serving
Local publishers have also put up prices. Bath Devon and Cornwall, and later the South West
Chronicle has increased from £1.30 to £1.50 and District. Our best wishes go to Maureen and her
reduced terms from 20.15 per cent to 18.80 per son Simon.
cent, while another Northcliffe media publication,
the Shepton Mallett Journal, has done something Derek Cook
similar. Reach group, who own the Western District President
Gazette, have increased prices and decreased
terms, but not so alarmingly as Northcliffe
Media.
The Youings Trade Show at the Chiefs Rugby
Ground, Exeter was another success. We have
ideas to make it even more of an attraction to
members and potential members in future. I am
aware that trade shows, open days or whatever
we call them may not be everyone’s favourite
day out, but they do keep everyone up to date
on current trends and new products and allow
us to meet new and old friends. As such, they
are worth visiting. I look forward to seeing and
meeting you at future events.
@NFRN_online facebook.com/nfrnonline www.nfrnonline.com
2019 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT BULLETIN
EXETER TRADE SHOW BUBBLES WITH OPPORTUNITIES
Our popular annual trade show with local courtesy of the South West district, plus the
delivered wholesaler Youings returned to chance to speak with local officials including
Sandy Park rugby ground – the home of the our president Derek Cook and vice president
Exeter Chiefs – for the third year in a row Duncan Finlayson, along with our retail
on February 13 and once again there were development manager Paul Lloyd.
bargains and deals galore for members
attending. Not surprisingly, members travelled from
Lands End, Bristol and Gloucester to get the
For every retailer visiting the NFRN stand chance to liaise with trade partners and take
there was a free tray of Emerge Energy Drink, advantage of special on the day deals.
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
www.nfrnonline.com
2019 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT BULLETIN
TRANSPORT ISSUES ADD TO DELIVERY
WOES AROUND BRISTOL AREA
Transport problems, ranging from vehicles a separate van to Yeovil so that its newspapers
being impounded to punctures and vehicle would arrive earlier.
breakdowns, contributed to a spate of late
deliveries of Reach products over a four week NFRN news operations manager Peter
period in the South West, our president told the Williamson reminded the meeting that if
February district council meeting. publishers started printing 15 minutes earlier
many of the late arrivals into wholesale and
Raising concerns about this lateness, Derek subsequent reruns could be avoided.
Cook insisted that “it isn’t a printing issue but a
transport one”. During the meeting it was noted that although
the Mail had previously been the worst
He added: “In the past four weeks we have performer, that since the change in editors,
had vehicle issues with Reach, whether it be from Paul Dacre to Geordie Greig, its delivery
the police impounding a van, punctures or performance had improved considerably.
breakdowns. This is all going on in Bristol, one Besides raising members’ concerns about
of the biggest cities in the South West.” late deliveries, the NFRN advised that most
complaints from South West members to NFRN
NFRN members’ concerns about delivery times Connect between November last year and
had been raised at a meeting with Smiths News January 31 2019 involved missing credits and
the previous week when officials attending short deliveries.
had shared NFRN data showing that Taunton
and Yeovil were also suffering. It was also South West vice president Duncan Finlayson
highlighted that 40 per cent of all Smiths News also complained that some tote boxes were wet,
reruns were in the South West. citing an incident when one had arrived with
almost an inch of water inside. Members were
Additionally, it was reported that weekend asked to take photographs of wet tote boxes
supplements were arriving with live news and and forward them to the news wholesaler so
this was impacting on packing and deliveries at investigations could be launched.
the news wholesaler’s houses.
Representing the NFRN at the February 18
However, Smiths News insisted that regular meeting, along with Mr Williamson and Mr
representations were being made to the Finlayson were district president Derek Cook,
publishers. It further advised that to rectify its national councillors Ray Monelle, Roy Crawford
delivery issues that Reach had agreed to send and Andrew White and members Bridget
McNulty and Jeff Savage.
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
MIKE EDDOWES NFRN and served as a district and national
councillor for Devon and Cornwall and was also
– AN OBITUARY on the Roll of Honour for that district.
This is the most difficult obituary that I Mike passed away on January 14 2019 and a
have had to write, not because of the lack private cremation service was held at the end of
of information, but because Mike was a full that month. A memorial service was held at St.
on person with interests in many things and Andrew’s Church, Redruth on Tuesday February
leaving out certain aspects of his life will only 12 2019, which was attended by approximately
be because of shortage of reporting space, 120 people including members from the South
writes district president Derek Cook. West district of the NFRN.
Mike was born at Hessle, Yorkshire, moving to Mike leaves his wife Maureen and their son
Farndon where his family ran a small shop. He Simon, who is carrying on the business. Our
attended Magnus Grammar School. He loved thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
steam trains and followed local sporting teams,
visiting Trent Bridge for cricket and Meadow Further tributes were paid to Mike at the
Lane to watch Notts County Football Club. February district council meeting.
Mike married Maureen on March 31, 1960, which Ray Monelle described
was half day closing at the shop. Their marriage him as “a true
lasted almost 60 years. Mike and Maureen gentleman”. He was
visited Cornwall on holiday and immediately fell well respected and
in love with the county, moving to Scorrier to people listened when
open a butchers shop. Unfortunately, because he spoke up.
of arthritis in his wrist, Mike had to give up this
trade, and took on and developed a newsagents Steve Berry said Mike
in Redruth, which is thriving to this day. was a man of principal
for which he was
Mike was dedicated to being involved with respected.
and trying to improve his community. He was
elected to Redruth town council and became
the town’s first mayor. He was then elected to
Kerrier district council and was one of its last
chairmen before it was absorbed into Cornwall
county council. He was a Rotarian, a prison
custody visitor and a governor of a local junior
school. For 34 years he was a member of the
THEY’RE BACK! DATE CONFIRMED FOR 2019
SOUTHERN REGIONAL AWARDS
This year’s Southern Regional Awards will Past years have seen a number of winners
be held on Friday September 27 and, for the and finalists from this district and it would
fourth successive year, they will be hosted at be great to achieve similar success this
the Crown Plaza Hotel in Reading. year. Keep an eye on NFRNOnline.com as
entries will open shortly and save the date of
Once again, we will be celebrating all that’s best September 27 as it’s a great night out and we
about the independent retail sector, recognising would love to see you there.
commitment, high standards and innovation.
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2019 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT BULLETIN
KEEPING YOUR STAFF
AND STORE SAFE
In-store security is a growing concern for
retailers of all sizes, but incidents from petty
pilfering to breaking and entering can be
particularly devastating for smaller
independents such as newsagents and
convenience store owners.
At The Retail Mutual we deal all too regularly
with such claims, and while we exist to help through the night can be an effective deterrent
retailers in their time of crisis, we are also against breaking and entering. Do try to ensure
committed to helping them to minimise their your windows and any glazed doors are made
chances of being targeted in the first place. with tempered glass or other break-resistant
materials. While they may still be damaged in an
There are a number of security measures that attack, they are less likely to break completely,
shop owners can put in place to help protect preventing the thieves from gaining access.
themselves, their staff and their store. At best
these can help to prevent an incident entirely, Lighting
and even if you are targeted, good quality Bright lighting inside is helpful, as well as
monitoring systems can help to draw attention keeping a clear line of sight to the till area so
as quickly as possible to what is happening, or that any crime is immediately visible. This is
to identify the culprits after the event. particularly important for sole traders or those
running convenience stores that are open
Here are some of the security measures we outside traditional hours.
recommend that retailers consider.
Safety training and inspections
CCTV and alarms Carry out routine safety inspections to ensure
Choose a CCTV system that captures recorded that your store is as well protected as possible.
footage as well as providing real-time If you employ staff, make security training for
monitoring. This helps keep an eye on what is them mandatory, with clearly established rules
happening in the far corners of your store while and procedures. These are in place not just to
you are occupied elsewhere. If your store is protect them but also to protect you against
broken into or you are the victim of shoplifting, any potential claims brought against you for
it can also be used to help catch the thieves. negligence.
Remember to check it regularly and keep it
visible to act as a deterrent. Similarly, an alarm Always check what is and is not included in your
system should be well monitored and regularly business cover and that your cover limits are
serviced. sufficient. If you are unsure, speak to your cover
provider for more information.
Tills and money
Keep money out of sight and reach – bank
regularly and leave your tills open at night to The Retail Mutual specialises in providing
show they are empty. Many cover providers will business cover to independent retailers
include this as a condition of your cover. in the news and grocery sectors.
Fascia and entrance For more information or a no
Stores are often targeted in the dark, pre- obligation quote call 0333 2127 263.
dawn hours, so a brightly lit fascia that stays lit
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
National councillors Andrew White and Roy Crawford
100 NOT OUT! DISTRICT newsagents and the NFRN’s 15,000 members
JOINS NFRN’S CENTENARY stood for.
CELEBRATIONS Besides celebrating how far the NFRN had
come over the past 100 years, the centenary
On the evening of Tuesday February 12, dinner was “a nod to the future of what
South West members including past National our industry has to offer and the exciting
President Peter Seaman and his wife Vera challenges ahead as we lead the independent
were among 450 guests at London’s Royal retail sector forward”, Mr Mitchelson added.
Lancaster Hotel for a dinner to celebrate 100
years of the NFRN. The dinner was followed by the presentation
of 12 2019 NFRN Awards, including special
In a rousing speech, National President centenary honours for the longest serving
Mike Mitchelson welcomed guests to “this active member, outstanding contribution to the
very special and once in a lifetime event” to news industry and outstanding contribution to
commemorate everything that independent the independent retailing.
MEET YOUR 2019-2020
DISTRICT OFFICIALS
Derek Cook was unanimously elected as
president at the district AGM on February
26, with Duncan Finlayson re-elected as vice
president.
From this summer and as part of the NFRN’s
recent restructuring, the number of national
councillors representing the South West will
fall from four to two. Representing the district
on national council will be Ray Monelle and
Andrew White, with Roy Crawford and Andrea This year we will have 10 delegates at
Monelle as reserves. Annual Conference, which this year will be
held in Brighton rather than Torquay. They
Bridget McNulty is our treasurer of our are Bridget McNulty, Jeff Savage, Russell
voluntary funds, with Roy Crawford, Ray Haynes, Ray Monelle, Roy Crawford, Andrew
Monelle, Andrew White and Jeff Savage its White, Andrea Monelle, Derek Cook, Duncan
trustees. Finlayson and Peter Seaman.
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2019 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT BULLETIN
GOT A PROBLEM?
CONTACT NFRN CONNECT
When one of our members received his
weekly invoice he expected to see a credit for
vouchers that had been returned the previous
week. When credit did not appear the member
made NFRN Connect his first port of call to
report the missing credit.
NFRN Connect was able to liaise with the LET NEWSPRO TAKE THE
member’s news wholesaler to establish if there
had been any delay to its voucher scanning
PAIN FROM YOUR NEWS
and to arrange a deferment on the members CATEGORY
invoice until the vouchers had been processed
How many of the following issues sound
to ensure cash flow was not affected.
familiar in your store?
If you find yourself in a similar situation and Too many magazine titles, including several
are concerned that cashflow issues could occur that you know you will not be able to sell?
it is important to act fast and ensure you let Shortages of your popular sellers? A high
NFRN Connect know as soon as possible. We level of returns? Missing credits? Not
can be contacted on 0800 121 6376 or via email enough time to manage the category?
to connect@nfrn.org.uk If this sounds like you, Newspro can help!
This free membership benefit offers:
CAMELOT TERMINAL WOES • An improvement in cash flow
A common misconception amongst members • Access to a seven day helpline for
is that NFRN Connect exists solely to deal with guidance and advice
news related issues. However, this is not the • No unwanted titles - only you and the
case and we recently assisted another district Newspro team with your agreement can
member who was experiencing an issue with effect what titles you have on your shelves
national lottery operator Camelot.
• Less time needed to spend on category
The member’s terminal had inexplicably broken • Better display and customer experience
down and several calls to the retailer helpline • Regular updates on the latest products
had done little to resolve the issue. All it took and promotions
was one quick call to Connect to report the
problem. Connect was able to liaise with the • Home delivery support
supplier and an engineer was soon dispatched
to resolve the problem.
To find out more please contact us by
emailing newspro@nfrn.org.uk or call
0800 121 6376.
Contact: Derek Cook, District President
T: 01380 726146 | E: southwest@nfrnonline.com
www.nfrnonline.com
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