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Newsagent's campaign for survival
9:36am Thursday 29th July 2010

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MORE than 800 traders and residents in South Ockendon are throwing their weight behind a small newsagents, which says the “greedy” Co-Op next door could put it out of business.

Nalini Patel, who has run Parade News, on Canterbury Parade for the last 17 years, was horrified when the Co-Op announced that it was now selling newspapers and magazines, going into direct competition with her.

Mrs Patel said: “This will kill my business. The Co-Op is just being greedy, it sells groceries and everything else we sell, like tobacco, I don’t sell groceries, why are they stealing my bread and butter by selling newspapers and magazines as well?”

Mrs Patel is being supported by hundreds of residents and traders who have signed a petition opposing the Co-Op’s decision.

South Ockendon resident Shaun Wall is supporting the Patels and believes the Co-op doesn’t need to sell newspapers.

Mr Wall, 66, of Poplar Close, said: “Such a move is not only totally unnecessary but will cause the collapse of a long-standing, much respected hub of this shopping parade and ultimately jeopardise the parade itself as a commercial entity.

“The Patel’s have served the community here since 1993. The family is well-liked and respected in the community for service and integrity and has long ago become part of the fabric.

”The Co-op has a long way to go to earn a similar trust and respect.

“There is no justification and no need for a second newsagent in the parade.”

Spokesman for the Chelmsford Star Co-Operative, Vanessa Howard, said the store made the decision after requests from customers.

She said: “Our decision to stock a limited range of newspapers and magazines has been taken in direct response to very many requests from our own customers.

“All customers are free to shop where they wish and we presume Mrs Patel’s customers will stay with her.

“Our continued presence on the Canterbury Parade depends entirely on our shop being viable, a fundamental of viability is to give your customers what they want, hence our response.

“Overall, our shop is a massive positive for the area and can only act as a positive for Mrs Patel by bringing more people onto the parade.”

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