ANGRY newsagents from all over the country gathered outside the offices of a newspaper and magazine wholesaler yesterday to make their voices heard.

The protest was organised by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and those taking part said it was intended to highlight the continued increases in carriage charges and persistent poor service of Kembrey Park-based Smiths News.

NFRN national president Linda Sood said: ‘This protest shows the strength of feeling against the increases in the financial burdens placed on independent retailers by the wholesalers like Smiths News.

“These charges are putting in jeopardy many businesses and the service they provide to their local communities.

“We are prepared to give Smiths News an opportunity to address our concerns.”

NFRN chief executive Paul Baxter said: “Today’s protest shows that independent retailers are no longer prepared to accept the ever increasing costs and diminishing levels of service.”

Smiths News did not respond to a request for a comment.