WITH the UK on lockdown, The Reading Chronicle has become an even more important source of trusted local news and entertainment for the community.

As part of our Covid-19 campaign, we will be highlighting local newsagent heroes each week - showing you the people who are continuing to go into work in order to keep newspapers sold and delivered to thousands.

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This week we spoke to Rob Brighten, owner of Brighton's Newsagents, Woodley Park Estate.

This newsagents has been operating in Reading for 39 years – and Rob has worked there ever since. Speaking about how lockdown has affected his work, he said: "Work processes have completely changed since lockdown.

"We have to be much more rigorous with how we operate. We are following government guidelines – using lots of gloves, with hand sanitiser everywhere.

"We deliver 3,000 papers while social distancing, so people can stay updated.

"With people being in lockdown, they are more important than ever, but honestly it is has been challenging and remains to be.

"In all the years I have been doing it, I’ve never had to face anything like this before."

As a keyworker, Rob is in the newsagents every day ensuring work is being carried out, despite staff having to stagger work patterns in order to follow social distancing measures.

"But the feedback we get from customers is immense, and we have even got a lot of new customers since lockdown", Rob added.

When asked why he thinks this could be, he said: "Right now, newspapers are so important.

"Even as a way to keep people occupied and entertained.

"Also, everyone wants to stay updated in coronavirus and the lockdown."

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Speaking about the reaction the newsagents has been receiving since lockdown, Rob said that he feels very appreciated.

He added: "People are so grateful to us that we continue to deliver, because when all this started, we had to think long and hard about it.

"We thought that it was the right thing to do in order to offer everyone a service that's important and needed.

"The feedback from our customers has been amazing.

"Everyone who phones up is so appreciative."