LONDON DISTRICT BULLETIN

Local news and views for NFRN members June - August 2017

Welcome to our District It gives me great pleasure and it is a great honour to introduce myself as your London district president

for 2017-2018. My involvement with the Federation began 18 years ago in Hitchin. At branch level,

I served as a general member, delegate to annual conferences, branch secretary and president

before moving to London district as a delegate. Over the past 10 years I have been working closely

alongside the London district executive council as a trustee and national councillor. With my past

experiences within this district and in retail, I am confident that we will have another successful term

to proceed from the last.

With the executive committee selected and aware of their responsibilities for this term, we will

continually strive to emphasise sufficient communication among all our 11 London branches and

external agents. In this challenging, ever-changing marketplace, communication is vital to efficiency;

therefore, we are encouraging all members to utilise digital platforms to mediate among our membership.

We aim to ensure all our needs are met, even at grass root level.

For this year to be a success, attendance at branch meetings on a regular basis would be appreciated,

as your concerns determine our actions. This year, we wish to encourage networking among our

district to build and maintain a solid foundation of members.

As independent retailers we have many demands on our time, but we need to log all news related

problems with NFRN Connect. It is only through doing so that statistics can be gathered and

evidence of poor service and persistent problems can be shared with news wholesalers and publishers.

So please help us to help you.

Even if you have solved the problem, please log it with NFRN Connect by calling 0800 121 6376 (free from a landline) or 020 7017 8880 from a mobile, or email connect@nfrn.org.uk. NFRN Connect is manned from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 11am weekends and bank holidays. Previously known as the NFRN Helpline, it is a dedicated member call centre to assist you with all your queries. Do make full use of this important member benefit.

I wish you all the best and I look forward to meeting you all at your branch meetings.

Pravin Shah District President

London District

The eagerly awaited 88th London district dinner dance - the showpiece of the whole of the Federation

- was held on February 19 2017 at the Holiday Inn, Empire Way, Wembley and was a resounding

success.

It was attended by 300 members, guests and trade partners, who enjoyed an all inclusive three course

meal and all drinks provided.

Trade partners present were 3R Telecom, JTI, Imperial Tobacco, BAT, Trinity Mirror Group, Britvic (who

generously donated the soft drinks), Booker, Bobby’s, Hancocks, NewstrAid, NFRN Mutual, Newtrade

Publishing, Jenson E-Cigarettes, Reposs, Nelson College, Universal Suppliers, Nestle, Newsgroup, Va-

porized and Camelot.

The colourful and energetic routine performed by the Sri Lankan Dancing Group, Athanayake, was the

highlight of the evening and was enthusiastically welcomed by everyone present. The routine consisted

of seven artists who executed many traditional dance routines, such as Uda Rata and Pahatha Rata.

Raffle prizes were generously donated by our trade partners and companies and thanks to all the

attendees, a total of over £2,200 was raised during the night, which was shared by our NFRN charities

and Blossom Trust.

We all know about the NFRN charities, but Blossom Trust is a charity we have heard less about. It has

many projects in which it helps lots of underprivileged people in Sri Lanka. One of these ways is to help

women who have been widowed by the war to earn money in a sustainable way.

District dinner dance raises thousands of pounds for charity

London District

District dinner dance raises thousands of pounds for charityAnother project it is working on involves helping young students finish their undergraduate courses,

which they otherwise would not be able to do as they do not have sufficient money.

Bouquets of flowers were presented to the hard working committee members’ partners.

A special presentation was also made by the London North West branch to our former RDM, Steve

Sherwood. Steve was delighted to have been invited and to have met up with people he hadn’t seen

in years.

I would like to thank my district for its support, especially trade partners, the social committee - espe-

cially Nilesh Patel and our MSM Nigel Smith - who worked very hard, not only till the run up of the event

but on the day too.

Also a big shout out to my wife, Kavitha, and my daughter Raveena

and son Ragul for their continuous support throughout my presidential

year.

Thanks.

Ramasamy(Ravi) Raveendran

Immediate Past President

London District

London cleans up at Southern Region AwardsLondon members triumphed at the 2017 Southern Region Awards by winning an impressive six

categories.

And for Val Chung of Broomes in Buckhurst Hill, Essex there was plenty to celebrate as she was

crowned Member of the Year and her employee, Marcus Leong, was named Store2Door Deliverer of

the Year.

Devendra Patel of This and That in Plaistow High Street was the recipient of the Retailer Innovation

of the Year award.

Chandrakant Patel of Marsh Hill News in Hackney was the partworks and collectables king, with our

new London president Pravin Shah one of two runners up.

The technology award went to Narendra Patel from The Classic in Borough High Street.

But it wasn’t just London members who enjoyed success, as Bejay Ices from Upton Park was named

Local Supplier of the Year.

As well as fielding a large number of winners we were delighted that so many London retailers had

been shortlisted for the Awards.

They included Anil and Rashpal Patel of Londis in Morden in the confectionery display category; Kamlesh

Patel of Londis Manor Park for Convenience Retailer of the Year – Symbol; Sanjay Yagnik of Jays News

in West Thurrock in the Community Retailer of the Year category and; Pravin Shah for Newsagent of

the Year.

Vinay Patel of Jeffrey’s News, Battersea and Raj Wadher of Upton News Ltd in Slough were runners up

in the Store2Door Delivery Service of the Year, while Kunal Patel of Global News, Stratford and Anish

Patel of The Corner Shop in Carshalton both made the final three in the Convenience Retailer of the

Year - Independent category.

Barry Kennedy of Yogis in Brixton and Jai Patel of Skinner News in Richmond were runners up in the

Responsible Retailer of the Year category.

The Southern Local Awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Crown Plaza Reading on Friday

May 12.

London District

London cleans up at Southern Region Awards

Val Chung - Member of the Year Winner Marcus Leong - Deliverer of the Year Winner

Devendra Patel - Retailer Innovation of the Year Winner

Chandrakant Patel - Partworks & Collectables Retailer of the Year Winner

Narendra Patel - Technology of the Year Winner Bejay Ices - Local Supplier of the Year Winner

London District

RDTs and SDTs - what they are and why you must find out yours

Our industry is full of acronyms - FODI, JIG, PDF, TPD, ANMW, ISA, ACE, NMA, even the NFRN - the list is endless, writes our national councillor Peter Wagg. But there

are two that every news retailer should know and understand how they impact on their businesses – RDTs and SDTs. In 1998, the NFRN took part in an industry-wide initiative called FODI (Focus on Distribution Initiative), the outcome of which was that every news retailer was contacted and asked what time they needed their newspapers delivered.

If the wholesaler agreed the Retailer’s Delivery Time (RDT) the retailer was asked to sign a form agreeing their official RDT. If the retailer and wholesaler could not agree a de-livery time that was possible or deemed necessary, the retailer was given a Suggested Delivery Time (SDT). The performance of wholesalers was then measured against meeting their retailers’ RDTs and compensation made available for consistent poor performance. Almost 20 years later, during which time there have been countless wholesaler rationalisations, depot moves and closures, retailers’ RDTs have, in many cases, been lost, forgotten or, more likely, arbitrarily changed by the wholesaler without the knowledge or required agreement of the retailer.

I receive my deliveries around 5.45am, which is the time I had agreed to be my RDT. However, last year, fol-lowing a period of late deliveries and numerous complaints, I asked my wholesaler my RDT and was told 7am. Without my knowledge, my RDT had been changed, so for the period I received late deliveries, according to my wholesaler’s records they were meeting my RDT! Wholesalers claim to meet 98% plus of retailers’ RDTs which is easy to do if, as I suspect, their RDT records have been arbitrarily altered to suit their own purpose. It is vitally important that all news retailers, whether they are experiencing late deliveries or not, contact their wholesaler and make sure that their recorded RDTs are correct. If they are not agreed, insist it is recorded as an SDT.

You’ve got to laugh!

In these days of computer spell checks the editor was surprised to receive these two

billboard adverts for her local paper. Both gave the locals a laugh.

If you have anymore, send them in to val.j.chung@googlemail.com.

London District

National councillors lobby MPs on key matters of concern

Our national councillors had the chance to lobby local MPs face to face on the issues of concern to independent retailers at the NFRN’s annual parliamentary reception in the House of Commons

on February 21. We were delighted that three MPs from London could join us. They were Jim Fitzpatrick, the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse; Eleanor Laing, Conservative MP for Epping Forest (pictured bottom right with national councillor Val Chung) and Matthew Offord, Conservative MP for Hendon.

They were among the 30 MPs and Lords who turned up for the launch of the NFRN’s Independent Retail Report on the terrace in Westminster and our #notime4retailcrime campaign. Our officials told them what being an independent retailer is really like in 2017 and what actions are needed from the government to ensure the survival of news and convenience retailers.

We called for action against rising business rates and retail crime, a review into the news supply chain and for the government to look at the impact that the living wage, auto pension enrolment, roadworks, inadequate parking and the planned Making Tax Digital initiative has on our businesses. Since our reception the Making Tax Digital scheme has been shelved.

Addressing reception guests National President Ray Monelle said: “Never has an independent retailer needed the NFRN more and never has an independent retailer needed the support of his parliamentary representative more.”

London District

Raise the morale of your news deliverers – Empowering Young People grants available

In 1978, Carl Bridgewater, a 13 year old paperboy, was murdered while delivering newspapers for an

NFRN member. The NFRN’s Carl Bridgewater Fund was set up in his name for the benefit of young

people and news deliverers working for NFRN members.

For nearly 40 years, the fund has awarded grants to those suffering injuries, violent attacks, serious illnesses or stolen bicycles, but more recently grants of a more positive nature have also been available.

The NFRN believes the way to empower our young people is to invest in their future; in their education, family, welfare, health, sports, culture and leisure.

Empowering Young People grants of up to £500 have been awarded so young people can participate in an organised community trip to Peru, enter the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, help buy new woods for a junior Bowls champion (pictured) and assist towards payment for an i-pad for a girl undergoing extensive chemotherapy treatment.

We would very much welcome more applications from London members for these grants.

If you have a young person, staff or family, working in your store, who needs support and encouragement, and you are unsure whether they would qualify, please contact NFRN Connect for an application form.

Peter WaggChairmanNFRN Benefits Committee

Is your non compliant stock ready to swap with your tobacco reps?

At the spring national council meeting, our national councillors were delighted to hear Imperial

Tobacco and Philip Morris promise that their reps would swap non compliant stock from retail-

ers after plain packaging and the tobacco products directive take effect on May 20.

National councillor Nilesh Patel is urging members to prepare for this, by having all non compliant stock boxed up and ready for collection after May 20. If you are caught selling non compliant stock after May 20 you could face a three month prison sentence, a fine or both.

London District

New Herts branch gets off to roaring start

A new Hertfordshire branch has been formed following the amalgamation of our Watford, Hitchin, Luton and Enfield branches, and the move has

certainly paid off with more than 30 members turning out for its first meeting! Those attending were able to watch demonstrations from Ritmeester Cigars and enjoy a delicious Indian meal at the popular venue of the Alankar Restaurant in Luton.

With members coming from all of the amalgamated branches, it was decided that this restaurant was a perfect location and meetings will continue to take place at this venue for the foreseeable future. We were delighted to welcome members who had never attended a branch meeting before as well as some new recruits to the NFRN.

During the evening there was a full, frank and lively discussion regarding Smiths News and the service it provides, and branch officials issued a reminder to those present to advise NFRN Connect of any issues. An update was given by MSM Nigel Smith on the closure of Smiths News’ Borehamwood house and the new depot in Hemel Hempstead. Branch officials due to attend a rationalisation meeting at the Borehamwood house promised to air members’ concerns.

Looking to improve your business? Your local council may be able to help!

Following a recent national council meeting our public affairs team has put together an extensive

list of grant and funding options for small businesses.

Below are the current opportunities available for members in our district:

On the NFRN website (www.nfrnononline.com) there is more information on the latest grants and funding available. It’s worth checking this page regularly as opportunities will change.

Kensington and Chelsea Shop Improvement Scheme: Kensington and Chelsea Council provides grants for shop front improvements where they are likely to have a significant impact in improving the overall appearance and performance of the retail area. If you are interested in applying, email: towncentres@rbkc.gov.uk.

Henley Shop Improvement Grant Scheme: Grants up to a maximum of £2,000 must be match-funded by the applicant. Scheme aims to improve shop fronts and building facades in the centre of Henley-on-Thames as a means of supporting the growth of local businesses. For more information contact Helen Barnett on h.barnett@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk .

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Your 2017-2018 National, District and Branch contact detailsDistrict PresidentE: London@nfrnonline.comPravin Shah7am-10pm, 157a Dunstable Road,Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1BWT: 01582 391441

District Vice PresidentNilesh PatelNils Convenience Store, 279 North Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 3DXT: 0208 500 2336

District Deputy Vice PresidentHetal PatelHRDV News, 15 Shifford Crescent,Maidenhead, Bucks SL6 7UAT: 01628 781342

National CouncillorsDevendra PatelThis and That, 16 High Street,Plaistow, London E13 0AJT: 0208 472 0076

Nilesh PatelNils Convenience Store,279 North Road, Barkingside,Ilford, Essex IG6 3DXT: 0208 500 2336

Ralph PatelThe Look In, 7 Woodmansterne Street,Woodmansterne, Surrey SM7 3NWT: 01737 361564

Pravin Shah7am-10pm, 157a Dunstable Road,Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1BWT: 01582 391441

Kamal ThackerStop Shop News, 72 Edgware Way,Mowbray Parade, Edgware,Greater London HA8 8JST: 0208 958 2752

Peter WaggNews on the Wharf, Cabot Square, Canary Wharf E14 4QST: 07973 911801

Reserve National CouncillorKishore ChandaranaTara News, 19 Brindley Avenue,Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5SXT: 01494 529640

District Delegate to Annual ConferenceKishore ChandaranaTara News, 19 Brindley Avenue,Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5SXT: 01494 529640

TrusteesDevendra PatelThis and That, 16 High Street,Plaistow, London E13 0AJT: 0208 472 0076

Omkar Patel30 Chadacre Road, Stoneleigh, Epsom, Surrey KT17 2HE T: 0208 337 0724

Ranjan PatelMarsh Hill News, 31 Marsh Hill,London E9 5QAT: 0208 986 3664

London District

Your 2017-2018 National, District and Branch contact details

Secretary - Ralph Patel The Look In, 7 Woodmansterne Street, Woodmansterne, Surrey SM7 3NWT: 01737 361564

HertfordshireE: hertfordshire@nfrnonline.comPresident - Raju PatelNewsbit, 107 Billiers Road, Oxhey, Watford WD19 4ALT: 01923 223949

Secretary - Alpesh PatelWheathampstead Post Office, 5 Station Road, Wheathampstead, St Albans, Herts AL4 8BUT: 01582 832101

Lewisham & WoolwichE: lewisham-woolwich@nfrnonline.comPresident - Rajesh Patel Brandons Newsagents, 271 Croydon Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3PS T: 0208 650 2502

Secretary - Mukesh Patel Jai Shree Krishna, 182 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London SE23 2LR T: 0208 291 0067

London East & CentralE: londoneast@nfrnonline.comPresident - Bhadresh PatelPlummers News, 93 Movers Lane, Barking, London IG11 7UQM: 07956 166509

Ramasamy RaveendranColombo Mini Market, 179 Kingsley Road,Hounslow TW3 4AST: 0208 577 8069

AlmonerVal ChungBroomes, 34 Queens Road,Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5BYT: 0208 504 4213

Barking & HaveringPresident - Nilesh PatelNils Convenience Store, 279 North Road,Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 3DXT: 0208 500 2336

Secretary – Val ChungBroomes, 34 Queens Road,Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5BYT: 0208 504 4213

Berks & BucksE: berks-bucks@nfrnonline.comPresident - Sanjay PatelHollyport News, 8 Hollyport Road, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 2HAT: 01628 622915

Secretary - Vimanji OdedraNisa Local, 12-13 Welback Court, Welback Avenue, Hayes, UB4 9EYT: 0208 845 6238

Croydon & South LondonE: croydon-bromley@nfrnonline.com President - Peter Gauntlett PL & EP Gauntlett, 161 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath CR7 8HX T: 0208 6534269

CONTACT : Pravin Shah, District President

Tel: 07957 230466 | london@nfrnonline.com

London District

Your 2017-2018 National, District and Branch contact detailsSecretary - Nobby Patel 32 Montpelier Rise, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 8RG M: 07806 824680

London NorthE: londonnorth@nfrnonline.comPresident – Bharatendra PatelLeamys News, 9 Nugent Terrace,London NW8 9QBT: 0207 286 0595

Secretary - Lilaben PatelL A Newsagents,296 Old Marylebone Road,London NW1 5RGT: 0203 674 2874

London North WestE: londonnorthwest@nfrnonline.comPresident - Narendra BharaniaCannon Newsagents, 58 Cannon Lane, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 1HNT: 0208 866 0715

Secretary - Ramasamy RaveendranColombo Mini Market,179 Kingsley Road,Hounslow TW3 4AST: 0208 577 8069

Reading E: reading@nfrnonline.comBranch President – Alpesh Patel

Jaydees,234 Northumberland Avenue,Reading RG2 7QAT: 01189 312627

Secretary – Dharam Ahuja26 Devonshire Park,Reading RG2 7DXT: 01189 756713

Richmond & KingstonE: richmond-kingston@nfrnonline.comPresident - Omkar Patel30 Chadacre Road, Stoneleigh, Epsom, Surrey KT17 2HE T: 0208 337 0724

Secretary - Mukesh Patel9 Arnold Crescent, Isleworth, Hounslow London TW7 7NST: 0208 892 5056

SouthendE: southend@nfrnonline.comPresident - Graham Cooke 56 Aldermans Hill, Hockley, Essex SS5 4RW T: 07722595914

Secretary - Adrian Cooke Station Kiosk, Station Approach, Hockley, Essex SS5 4BG T: 07722 595914