Tobacco boom time thanks to the Mail

VIDEO by KATIE BOWLER

A BURTON newsagent has said a 'massive thank you' to the Mail after a story on the expansion of his business resulted in a boom in sales.

130509 Good News - BM This week is Local Newspaper Week, with the theme of this year's campaign being Building Stronger Communities, which aims to show just how essential local newspapers are in their towns through working with businesses through the recession.

As previously reported in the Mail, Shaid Hussain, who owns Good News, in High Street, decided to expand his business following the closure of Jeanie's Newsagents, formerly in Station Street.

The closure of Jeanie's means Good News is now the only tobacconist in the area and Mr Hussain's new line in cigars, pipes and tobacco was featured in The Mail.

Mr Hussain said: "The story that went in The Mail has made a huge difference to the trading in my shop.

"I have had lots of people coming in saying that they have seen my shop in the paper and people requesting items that I didn't stock before. I have been rushing around to get more products in."

Since the story appeared nearly two weeks ago, Mr Hussain has expanded his product range because of increased demand.

He said: "From the Burton Mail and word of mouth I have been given the chance to expand my shop and invest in new products.

"It has all been a fast flow, I didn't expect things to take off as well because of the current economic climate, but after the story went it, it has boosted my sales.

"The clientele has been far afield not just from Burton.

"I have also had new people coming in from reading the story on The Mail's website.

"It has made me confident that the Burton Mail is there to support our businesses. Without the paper it would make it difficult to trade it's the backbone to our business.

"The Burton Mail represents us and our views, which is vital."

Good News sells fresh, good quality British tobacco, in more than 14 different flavours.

The shop also sells an extensive range of Zippo lighters, Cuban cigars and smoking accessories as well as the XtremeEyez range which are eye accessories for cosmetic purposes only, available in all colours and patterns.