Meet the Portsmouth newsagents and paper deliverers keeping the wheels turning in society

While shops have been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, newsagents and newspapers have been continuing as normal.

Despite the long hours and lack of extra staff, shopkeepers have seen a surge in demand as people start shopping locally, instead of driving to their nearest supermarket.

Meanwhile, with schools closed and not much to do in the day, youngsters are continuing to get up at the crack of dawn and ensure people get their daily newspapers - while keeping a safe distance.

For paperboy Daniel Jones, 16, his mornings begin earlier than most, with or without a virus pandemic.

Between him and his brother Gareth, 14, almost 40 papers are delivered on a daily basis in the Denvilles area.

He said: ‘There’s a few older people I deliver to on my rounds who have appreciated having someone at the door to talk to.

‘It feels great to be keeping them in touch with the rest of the world.

‘We’ve put letters through their door saying that we’ll get shopping for them if they need it too – and have already had a few phone calls come in.’

Paul Tizzard, who runs Highfield Stores in Waterlooville, has been working 14-hour days, seven days a week, since the virus outbreak.

But he says it’s been a rewarding few weeks, as he has connected with more people in the community.

‘Things have been phenomenal recently,’ he said.

‘We’ve been running deliveries to the vulnerable people in the community – the difficulty now is actually getting the stock to keep up with demand.

‘It's been exceptionally hard work recently but it’s lovely that our neighbours are realising that using your local shops is important.

‘People seem to appreciate what we're doing and I can’t thank them enough for their support in such an uncertain time.’

Neil Parekh, owner of Reed News in London Road, Portsmouth, has faced similar trials and tribulations, including the long hours.

But he’s not working for the sake of praise; rather, he says we all have our part to play.

‘Everyone has to stick together during this virus outbreak,’ he said.

‘I’m here from 6am to 8pm every day – but it just has to be done.

‘We’ve had our familiar faces all coming in, but have made some new friends in the community too; it’s great that people are shopping local because it helps to keep businesses like mine afloat.’

Newsagent Ray Culverwell, who runs J.G. Riley newsagents in Locksway Road, Portsmouth, says his team of eight paper deliverers have been ‘fantastic’.

He said: ‘They’re here every day without fail, always turn up on time and are generally doing a brilliant job.

‘They’re keeping the most vulnerable people in society in the loop.’

In Leigh Park, residents are kept up-to-date on local news thanks to Grace Smith, age 14.

But her service has gone from just doing paper deliveries to becoming a lifeline for vulnerable people.

She said: ‘A couple of people have been talking to me through their window, and with my mum we’ve offered to get them shopping if they need it.

‘The fact that they can’t get out is a huge deal – these people must have everything they need so it’s important that we give it to them.

‘We have to do what we can to keep them feeling like part of society.’

Editor of The News Mark Waldron said: ‘I'd specifically like to thank everyone who is delivering or selling The News in these difficult times, and in wider terms it's also heartening to see how many people are going the extra mile to help their neighbours.

‘If there’s one thing that the pandemic is showing us, it’s the importance of local connections and looking out for other people - and everyone in this story deserves a big pat on the back from all of us.’