After lobbying from the Scottish NFRN, the publisher has announced that the cover prices of the Monday to Friday and Saturday editions of the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday are all set to rise.
Even more welcome for the NFRN is the fact that the increases will be accompanied with pro rata terms.
Monday to Friday editions of the Scotsman will increase to 85p with effect from Monday January 10, the Saturday edition will rise to £1.20 with effect from January 8 and Scotland on Sunday will cost £1.70 from January 9.
Cover prices on a number of Johnston Press regional titles are also set to rise.
The announcement of the price increases came 24 hours after a meeting between the NFRN and senior executives from Johnston Press. Attending on behalf of Scottish newsagents was Scottish president Abdul Qadar, together with Jim Maitland, Robert Paton and Robert Baillie from the NFRN Scottish Executive. They were accompanied by NFRN staff Jerry Hayes and Owen Bogue.
Mr Qadar said: “It’s great to see the New Year getting off to such a positive start with newspaper publishers really showing their support to independent newsagents.
“We have been lobbying for price increases on Johnston Press titles for some time so we are delighted that the publisher has listened to our concerns.”
The move by Johnston Press came as the Daily Record announced that it was increasing the cover price of the Saturday edition by 5p to 70p, with pro rata terms.
Mr Qadar added: “The NFRN is delighted to have such a good relationship with Scottish publishers and I would urge all NFRN members to work with them to increase sales.”
Scottish president Abdul Qadar has praised publishers and wholesaler Menzies Distribution for their efforts in getting newspapers and magazines out to newsagents during the recent heavy snowfalls.
And he congratulated fellow newsagents for keeping their stores open, mobilising their news deliverers to be extra vigilante and providing essential grocery supplies to their customers along with their regular newspapers and magazines.
Mr Qadar said: “All parts of the supply chain deserve a huge pat on the back for their sterling efforts during such horrendous conditions.”
