Shop triumph for early rising Northallerton newsagent Mark

A DEDICATED newsagent has hit the headlines himself after being named one of the best independent retailers in the country by the industry body.

Six days a week Mark Willoughby, who runs Mitchell’s on Northallerton High Street gets up at between 3.30am to 4am to sort out the newspapers and magazines for his many customers, employing 17 newspaper boys and girls to deliver them as well as five staff to help keep the business going.

After after 30 years he has been honoured by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents who named him a runner up in their newsagent of the year award, beating off competition from17,500 others.

Mr Willoughby, 58, said he was proud to receive the awards but insisted he wouldn’t be able to run the business without his staff.

“I’ve got used to getting up so early, I actually quite enjoy it, although it’s not so easy on winter mornings. To get my mind round it, I have to think of it as a hobby rather than a job. And the staff really are wonderful, I couldn’t do it without them.”

Story credit: http://www.northyorkshireadvertiser.co.uk