Much-loved Bolsover newsagent celebrates 50 years in business

Chris White’s 68th birthday on Wednesday, June 3, also sees him bring up a half century of trading in the heart of the town at Goddard & White News.

Chris’ business partner, Chris Christoper, says his friend still has the same passion for the job as when he started in the 1960s and counts many of his regular customers as close friends.

“He still has the same enthusiasm today as he always has and has no plans on slowing down just yet,” Chris Christopher said.

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Starting as a paperboy at the age of 12, before going on to run the shop in his teenage years, Chris has shown an almost lifelong commitment to the news agency trade.

He had a successful business partnership with Mick Goddard for many years until Mick's passing, aged 72.

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When Mick died, in June 2018, Chris paid a heartfelt tribute to his former colleague who he described as a ‘legend’.

He told the Derbyshire Times: "He was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed. Mick had a dry sense of humour and was fantastic with our many loyal customers.

"He put so many years into the company and it certainly will continue. He was an excellent business partner and I have so many happy memories of him.

"Mick was a great man. He was very calm and I learned a lot from him.

"He was a Bolsover legend."

Chris now runs the independent Bolsover shop, on Town End, with Chris and Dominic Christopher.

“With the help of our army of news deliverers we are proud to serve the people of Bolsover with their daily news seven days a week,” Chris Christopher said this week.

“Open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Chris still prides himself on his shop and loves meeting customers old and new, with many of the regulars becoming great friends.”