WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT - AUTUMN BULLETIN - NFRN
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WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT
AUTUMN BULLETIN
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS October - December 2019
Most of us have to adjust our business models to suit different economic climates. Whether
this is due to the recession, new competition in our area, or just shifting trends, we have
all realised that we cannot stand still to “stay in the game”. We have lost our beloved
Woolworths and even premium priced Debenhams is failing to survive in its present
structure. M&S, meanwhile, has found that the food sector is its saving grace. Customers
are choosing out of town retail parks to the traditional high street, with a record number of
1,234 chain stores being lost in Britain’s top 500 high streets in the first half of the year.
But it is not only retailers having to rethink any of them on any issue, please invite them
their strategies. Just recently, BAT announced along and tell them you will be attending. They
it is to axe 2,300 jobs globally as part of a will also be welcome to sit in on a debate and
sweeping restructuring designed to support a question and answer session the next day when
shift to so-called “next generation” products as our National President attends our district
more and more people quit smoking. council meeting. Can you please let us know if
you are coming as soon as possible as numbers
After 100 years, even our Federation has had are limited and are on a first come first served
to make changes. We have welcomed our new basis.
chief operating officer Greg Deacon, who some
of you may know from his days at Camelot. Julia Bywater
Others, meanwhile, may have come across him District President
at News UK. Greg has a wealth of knowledge of
our industry so is a good fit to lead us forward
into our next century. Another change is that
our membership is now open to non news
retailers. By following our ethos of Adapt,
Change and Transform we have realised after a
drastic fall in traditional CTNs who specialise in
deliveries, and convenience stores utilising any
underperforming sectors to more profitable
areas, that we too needed to move into a new
era to cater for new demands.
As you will see from page 8, we are holding a
Christmas event next month and we hope to
see as many of you there as possible because
we are also inviting all the MPs and police and
crime commissioners who cover our district,
along with the West Midlands Mayor. It is
important for them to talk to retailers in their
constituencies to get a real overview of what is
actually going on around them, especially when
retail crime is low priority. Should you contact
@NFRN_online facebook.com/nfrnonline www.nfrnonline.com
2019 WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT BULLETIN
NFRN CONNECT IS KEY TO
RESOLVING RETURNS ISSUES HELPING TO RESOLVE
NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
One member in the district found that NFRN
Connect was key when her delivery driver CONCERNS
started to refuse to uplift her returns. A Birmingham member has praised the
NFRN for minimising his newspaper
Initially, when the member complained directly delivery issues.
to her news wholesaler she was advised that
the driver had misplaced his key to the secure Rajalingam Lakshman of The Newsagent
area so was unable to access the returns. A had been experiencing a catalogue of
new key was, therefore, provided but the ever- late deliveries, missing newspapers and
growing pile of returns remained uncollected. weekend shortages.
Becoming frustrated, the member confronted After he discussed these issues with his
the driver who point blank refused to collect retail development manager, a meeting
the returns from the secure area. was organised with the night shift
manager and the day manager of his
One call to NFRN Connect did the trick, supplying news wholesaler.
however, and the news wholesaler promised to
address the issue with its driver and demanded Since that meeting, Mr Lakshman has
an improvement in his behaviour. advised that his issues have been resolved.
The NFRN also reminded the news wholesaler
that the member was not at fault for the driver
misplacing his key and it agreed to cover the
cost of the replacement.
ARE YOU UP TO DATE FOR TPI?
Home news delivery agents are strongly
advised to check they are registered for third
party insert payments and that their figures
are up to date.
HELPFUL SID STEPS IN TO
The process could not be simpler. All you need ENSURE FAMILY REUNION!
to do is notify your wholesaler contact centre
that you wish to register for the scheme. Kindly Sid Sidhu found himself making
headlines after helping one of his
You will then receive the insert payments, which customers obtain a passport so she could
are paid quarterly and in arrears. Registering visit her family in Barbados.
your details will also help NFRN Connect to
claim restitution on your behalf when necessary The owner of Kenilworth Budgens told RN
as your TPI registration and the associated magazine “Eldine has been my customer for
figures will provide evidence of your HND sales over 50 years. She wanted to go back home
to your supplying news wholesaler. but had no documentation. I was a guiding
hand getting her a passport. The process
To contact NFRN Connect telephone gave me a lot of satisfaction.”
0800 121 6376 or email connect@nfrn.org.uk.
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
LOCAL MP LEARNS MORE ABOUT THE RETAIL CRIME
EPIDEMIC AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT IT
West Midlands district husband, Simon, became a
president Julia Bywater crime victim and was beaten
laid bare her dismay at the with a baseball bat by a gang
judicial system when Dudley of four who then fled empty-
North MP Ian Austin visited handed.
her store, Bywater News in
Wolverhampton, in August. Prisoners needed “strict
regimentation” and should not
Mrs Bywater explained how to be treated as if they were
society was being failed in a holiday camp, with Sky
because the daily thefts from TV and gymnasiums. Tougher
shops were not recognised prison sentences should be
as “proper crimes” and handed out, she said, adding:
the perpetrators were not “The longer these type of
arrested, leading them to go criminals spend inside, the
on to steal items with higher longer they’re off our streets
values and also to become and not around to prey on the
more violent. vulnerable.” that the issue of retail crime
will top the agenda when
Mrs Bywater said even when Mr Austin and Mr Casey NFRN National President
criminals were caught the listened carefully to Mrs Stuart Reddish attends the
punishment was a ‘slap on the Bywater’s views but said they West Midlands district council
wrist’ which was no deterrent. could not support her calls meeting on November 26.
for capital punishment to be All West Midands MPs are
“So they keep on and on, reintroduced after nearly a 60 being invited to attend and
causing more misery, not year break. participate in a debate on
only to shopkeepers, but the “Law and Disorder.”
whole of the community,” she However, Mr Austin did have
told the independent MP and some good news. Having
local Dudley councillor Keiran campaigned for the reopening If you would like to attend
Casey who had accompanied of Dudley police station he had and contribute to the debate
Mr Austin on the shop visit. been advised that a new site please call Julia Bywater
had been given the go ahead. on 07455 954682 or Anne
The two heard in detail how Newman on 07742 678910.
two years ago Mrs Bywater’s Mrs Bywater has promised
www.nfrnonline.com
2019 WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT BULLETIN
WARNING TO ALL
MEMBERS SELLING
THEIR BUSINESS
If you are selling your business
please ensure that when you
do your stock take that all
returns and credits outstanding
are taken into stock, as after
the changeover date they will
be credited to the new account
WARWICKSHIRE POLICE IMPROVES ON holder, and under the General
ITS CRIME RECORDING, REPORT CONFIRMS Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR) Smiths News has no
Warwickshire police’s Inspectorate noted that the responsibility to discuss the
recording of crime incidents force recorded over 93 per account once it is in the name
has shown noticeable cent of all crimes reported to of the new owner.
improvements over the past it during the period covered by
five years, according to a new the inspection. This was bought to our
report. attention after a member was
HM Inspector of Constabulary misinformed by the stock taker
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Wendy Williams said:” What acting on behalf of his new
of Constabulary and Fire & really came through during shop owners. As a result, the
Rescue Services (HMICFRS) our inspection was the force- member finds himself out of
previously inspected crime wide culture of a commitment pocket by thousands of pounds.
recording arrangements at to crime recording. The force’s Assisted by the NFRN he is now
the force in 2014. It found senior leadership has done taking legal action but it could
that, while the force was a good job of promoting the have been so much quicker and
generally performing well, importance of good crime smoother if he’d have given
there were some problems. recording practices to officers NFRN Connect a call!
It issued the force with a and staff.
list of recommendations for If you are selling up and need
improvement. “While there are some areas advice prior to the sale going
where the force’s recording through, please contact NFRN
During a re-inspection carried practices could be further Connect. However, as further
out earlier this year, HMICFRS improved, the communities legal clarification may be
found that the force has of Warwickshire can be more required, please do not leave
successfully implemented a confident than ever that this until the eve of your
variety of measures to improve crimes are being recorded in exchange day as by then it may
how it records crime. The the proper manner.” be too late.
EXPRESS AND STAR PREMIUM AGENTS: A REMINDER
From September 30, Express & Star Premium retailers’ customers who read the Express &
agents no longer need to ring in their stops Star or Shropshire Star take a holiday in the
and starts using the post code method. same weeks.
In fact, they no longer need to ring in with If, however, you do start experiencing problems
any figures as an 8 per cent waste figure is please ring the Express & Star straight away
being factored into their supply. It has been and they will only be too pleased to help
anticipated that no more than 3 per cent of resolve any issues that may arise.
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
Independent National Lottery Retailer of the Year, Sunder Sandher.
SUNDER SCOOPS NATIONAL lamppost outside the shop so it can be seen by
passing drivers. Up-to-date jackpot figures are
LOTTERY AWARD highlighted above the counter.
Warwickshire member Sunder Sandher All National Lottery activity is also heavily
discovered that it could be you – by being promoted across the store’s social media
crowned independent National Lottery Retailer channels and the business has been featured in
of the Year at the 2019 Retail Industry awards. the local press.
Sunder, the owner of One Stop in Leamington Not surprisingly, one of the awards judges
Spa, impressed the judges with his dedication to commented: “He is a fantastic retailer. He goes
promoting the National Lottery both in-store and above and beyond what is expected of him and
online, which generate average weekly sales in just emanates best practice.”
excess of £4,000.
Another judge commented: “He really has
Staff members ensure all National Lottery thought of everything. You cannot fault him.”
point-of-sale materials are displayed
immediately and care is taken to stick to the The Retail Industry Awards are run by trade
designated planograms. A media screen in the magazine Independent Retail News. This year’s
shop’s front window helps promote the lottery winners were announced at a ceremony at The
in-store, and a sign has been placed high on a Brewery in London’s Chiswell Street.
www.nfrnonline.com
2019 WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT BULLETIN
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR
HOME FOR THE WINTER
WEATHER
After a sunny summer the prospect of dark
evenings, colder temperatures and wet
weather may seem pleasantly remote, but as
a homeowner this is the time to be thinking
about ensuring your property is ready to face
the winter, says the Retail Mutual. So what
steps should you be taking to make sure it is in the long run. Make sure you look at drains,
in the best shape it can be? external pipes and particularly at this time of
year, falling leaves can quickly block gutters,
Time for your home MOT especially when combined with seasonal
Do you carry out regular inspections on your rainfall.
property? The purpose of a property inspection
is to check on its overall condition and ensure Green, green garden
that everything is in good working order and a If your property has a garden, consider when
good state of repair. Carrying out a quarterly you last did some maintenance to it? Now is
inspection to coincide with the changing of the a good time to check that everything is neat
seasons is an excellent opportunity to identify and tidy ready for the change in weather.
any potential issues before they become a Remember to keep rubbish in the bins and
problem. Think of it as a MOT for your home. keep the surrounding area free of refuse to
avoid attracting vermin or creating a safety
Maximise ventilation and minimise mould hazard.
Are you keeping windows clean and free of
moisture? Good ventilation is essential for Make sure your home is adequately insured
preventing the build-up of mould but in colder As a homeowner, one of the most important
weather it’s easy to forget to open a window or things you can do to protect your property at
make sure an air vent is open. Early autumn any time of the year is to make sure that you
is a good time to check that pipes work, have the right home insurance in place.
especially those that are less visible, such as By completing regular inspections and keeping
pipes hidden away in kitchen and bathroom your property in good shape will help to
units. It’s also worth taking the time to test any prevent general wear and tear. In the event of
extractor fans to make sure they are working a weather-related claim, if it is felt that the
and not clogged up with dirt. homeowner hasn’t maintained their home to a
sufficient standard, the claim could be refused.
Fire and fumes
Avoiding potential fire hazards is important at In the event you do need to make a claim, you
any time of year, but as the colder weather sets should report it as soon as possible and you
in the risks increase as does the use of electric should check with your cover provider before
or gas heaters. You’ve probably stored them out arranging any repair work.
of sight in the summer months, but make sure
you check them before using again. You should Whether you are buying your first home, or
also ensure that smoke alarms and carbon looking to insure your current property, you
monoxide detectors are in full working order. need to be sure you are covered. The Retail
Mutual specialises in providing cover for
Exterior maintenance homeowners who have a connection to the
It would be absolutely ‘guttering’ if your retail sector. For a free, no-obligation quote
property was to suffer damage through lack or to find out more about how we can help to
of regular maintenance but by keeping the protect your residential rental properties, call
structure and exterior of your property in good 0333 2127 263 or visit www.theretailmutual.com
repair you can save valuable time and money for more information.
LOCAL NEWS AND VIEWS FOR NFRN MEMBERS 2019
FORMER NATIONAL PRESIDENT SPRINGS
SURPRISE ON DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Officials had a lovely surprise when former
National President Neville Whitehouse
attended the July district council meeting.
Neville, who led the NFRN in 1982, is pictured
with district president Julia Bywater and district
vice president Julie Kaur.
During the meeting, there was a presentation by
Matthew Hill and Harvey Bains, the partnership
manager and national and international
business development manager of New Era
Digital Signage Solutions.
ILLEGAL CIGARETTES
AND CASH SEIZED
DURING DAY OF ACTION
Illegal cigarettes worth more than £4,000
have been seized during a day of action led by
Birmingham City Council’s trading standards
team and West Midlands police.
The operation, on 22 July 2019, saw more than
22,000 illegal cigarettes and cash seized during
raids at shops in the Handsworth area after
officers acted on reports that illegal tobacco
and cigarettes were being supplied.
A warrant was also executed to enter a flat
above shops suspected of being used to store said: “The raids carried out by our trading
illicit products. standards officers have successfully taken
around £4,000 worth of illegal cigarettes out of
Trading Standards officers worked with local circulation.
police teams and had the assistance of a
tobacco detection dog provided by Wagtail “Those involved in dealing in illegal tobacco
Specialist Search Dogs. may be encouraging people, including
children, to smoke by providing a cheap
Cigarettes and cash were found concealed in source. This activity also brings crime into our
various places to avoid detection. The illegal neighbourhoods, which is why it is important to
products seized included suspected counterfeit clamp down on it. This also has an impact on
and cheap foreign labelled smuggled products those businesses that are trading legally.
that breach consumer protection legislation
and are also non-duty paid; these cannot be “The detection dogs can find cash, tobacco and
legally sold in the UK. cigarettes even if hidden in the most unlikely
places. Offenders need to know that they will
Councillor Phil Davis, chair of the city council’s face consequences if they choose to deal in
Licensing and Public Protection Committee, these illegal products.”
www.nfrnonline.com
2019 WEST MIDLANDS DISTRICT BULLETIN
Glad tie-dings Centennial
Christmas Event
3 Course Christmas Fare with wine
Entertainment
Christmas Dinner
Special Guest
November 24 2019 6.30pm til late
Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon
Drinks reception on arrival and some surprises for early birds
to make the evening even more memorable!
Charity Raffle in aid of Victims of Retail Violence
If you would like to join us Yes, I would like to attend the Christmas event on November 24
please fill in the form and return and enclose a cheque for £5 which I understand will be refunded
by Friday November 8 2019 to on the night.
Julia Bywater, Bywater News
Ltd, 8 The Arcade, Kent Street, Name:
Upper Gornal, Dudley, DY3
2DA, together with a cheque Address:
for £5 made out to NFRN West
Midlands VF. Your deposit will Daytime contact number:
be returned on the night.
Please make cheques payable to the NFRN West Midlands VF.
Contact: Julia Bywater, District President
T: 07455 954682 | E: westmidlands@nfrnonline.com
www.nfrnonline.com
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