Halesworth newsagent thanked for Home News Delivery month

Each day, thousands of copies of the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star hit doormats up and down the county.

This week, we are thanking Dave Patrick of D C Patrick Newsagents in Halesworth.

As of September 3, Mr Patrick has been running the business for 41 years, having followed in his father’s footsteps and swapped his job as a milkman for working in news.

Currently, the business sends deliveries to around 3,000 people each morning. He estimates that over 200 of those customers start their day with a copy of the East Anglian Daily Times, as well as 200 more copies of our sister publication the Eastern Daily Press.

Owner David Patrick has been running the newsagents since 1983. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Mr Patrick prides himself on getting everyone their newspaper of choice promptly – not even losing a day of deliveries when he arrived at work in 2018 and discovered his shop was on fire.

Eight fire crews were called to the business’ previous home in Market Place, which was completely destroyed in the blaze.

Fortunately, his parrot, Ed, was rescued by the fire service within minutes.

Now, Ed enjoys a chatter with customers from his new perch at the business’ current home at 16 Thoroughfare in the market town.

Ed the parrot was rescued from the blaze in 2018. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Today, D C Patrick is one of the largest independent home news delivery distributors, employing nearly 40 delivery boys, 28 employees and 10 delivery vans.

Mr Patrick considers the team a family and is proud that they have become an integral part of the community in Halesworth.

“I’ve lived here nearly all my life, ever since I was four,” he said. “People who come into the shop have known me since I was seven going on eight, when I was helping my father on his milk rounds.

“We’re a family team, and a big part of the community.”