Retailers have criticised Menzies Distribution’s trunking arrangements following reports of ongoing late deliveries into the Smiths News depot in Stockport.

Menzies is responsible for the primary trunking of the majority of magazines in the UK, as well as Reach and News UK national and regional titles.

David Lomas, of Lomas News in Bury, told Better Retailing late deliveries have consistently affected his HND service. “Our required delivery time is 5.15am, but we have had to wait until 6.15am on some occasions and it is impossible to deliver to our 300 HND customers on time,” he said.

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Lomas initially blamed Smith News for the delay, but was informed that issues with Menzies’ trunking service were the primary cause.

“Initially, I put it down to a problem with Smiths at the Stockport depot,” he said.“I posted on social media and the Stockport depot manager got in touch to explain that it was down to Menzies, who are now in control of supplying newspapers to Smiths.”

A Smiths News spokesperson said: “Stockport as a depot consistently receives later deliveries, which will impact service.

“It is one of the sites in the north that is impacted more than others because it is in reasonably close proximity to some of the print sites and therefore it is more likely to fall foul of any lateness issues.”

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