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Local Newsagents are the hub of the community
For this week's Local Newspaper Week we spoke to the people who help us get the news to you - local newsagents.
"We're a meeting place."
Peter and Sarah Athwal have run the News Corner at the top of King Street in Belper for just over 20 years.
In the time they have been in the town they have seen the news industry change a lot, but they say they still enjoy running the business.
Peter said: "It can be very difficult. There are early mornings and late evenings. But it's given us a living and helped us bring up our children.
"It's not only a shop; it's like a meeting place for people. We've made a lot of friends here who have seen our children grow up and we've seen theirs grow up and come in.
"Belper is a lovely place. It's very friendly. We'd like to thank everybody for their custom."
During their time in Belper, Peter and Sarah have faced the challenge of supermarkets and other shops starting to sell newspapers.
The shop recently became an off-licence as well as newsagents, but the pair said they are still keen to retain their identity as a news shop.
Sarah said: "People come to us for their news."
More than just a store
When Ken Greensmith opened the Milford Village Store last year he brought back a vital amenity to people in the area.
Since the post office closed in 2005, residents in the village had been forced to travel either to Belper or Duffield to buy a newspaper or a pint of milk.
Now, the shop is flourishing and has become a real part of the community.
Ken has worked as a newsagent in many shops for over 20 years.
He said: "We're people that enjoy the company of customers. I don't think you could do this job if you didn't. If you don't like people it's a very difficult job to do.
"People come in for a chat when they buy their bits and bobs."
Ken and his wife Jean previously ran shops in Mackworth, in Derby, Carlton, in Nottinghamshire, and in Chesterfield, before starting up the shop in Milford from scratch.
He said: "We feel like part of the community here because it's where we live.
"We enjoy meeting the people who come in the shop."
Shop has been there for nearly 80 years.
Andy Charlesworth has run Far Laund News for about four and a half years.
He took it on with his partner Sue because they lived nearby and liked the idea of running a newsagent.
When they took over the shop had already been running for decades, and had become a firm fixture in the town.
Andy said: "It's hard work but it's enjoyable and very satisfying."
He and his staff face early mornings and late nights but he says he enjoys the job despite that.
He said: "We've made so many friends. Normally when you live somewhere and you work all day you don't get to meet your neighbours but here we do.
"We have a lot of banter. A lot of people just come in for a chat."
The chatter over the counter is increased whenever Derby County and
Nottingham Forest play. Andy and his partner support opposite teams and the window of the shop is often plastered with posters fighting for space.
One of the shop's staff members, Mona, died last year at 86. Andy said: "She is very much missed,"
"I wouldn't change the job."
Ram Modhvadia and his mum Lakhi took over Woodhouse Stores, on Main Street in Horsley Woodhouse around four years ago. Since then they have given it a complete makeover and made it even more of a community amenity.
Before moving to the area the duo had run stores in Leicester.
Ram said: "The job is good. I enjoy it. I like helping customers and doing my bit for the community and giving to charity and things. You become part of the community when you're one of the only shops in the village. You get a lot of banter and a lot of gossip, good and bad.
"Some of the customers come in every day.
"You see them more than members of your family."
Ram said he and his mum like to support local events, and have no problems publicising them in the window.
He said: "The hours are long, and you don't get holidays unless you can sort it out with someone in your family, but it's worth it for the customers you get coming in."
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Weather for Belper
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
