NFRN National President Alan Smith (pictured) said: “Independent newsagents are hugely important to regional newspaper publishers as we are still responsible for a very high proportion of local newspaper sales, through home news delivery or counter sales.
“However declining circulations, the increase in the number of regional newspaper websites and the actions of a number of regional publishers in slashing retail margins to remain viable have put at risk the future of the independent retailer who sells the vast majority of their titles.
“So while independent newsagents have welcomed, in principle, the launch of Local World and its plans to revive the ailing regional newspaper industry, we are keen to meet with key personnel as quickly as we can to make sure that the right conditions are in place so members can play a critical role in the company’s success going forward.”
