Local Shopkeeper… Trish From Waverley Newsagency

By James Hutton on July 17, 2012 in People

Trish Sawyer from Waverley Newsagency answers a few probing questions about her legendary family business in Charing Cross…

Name | Waverley Newsagency

Address | 322 Bronte Road, Waverley

Phone | 9389 3721

Website | n/a

Tell us about Waverley Newsagency in a paragraph…
We are a newsagency in Charing Cross with a very large delivery area. There are four sub-agents to whom we supply newspapers and magazines. Also for sale in our shop are giftware, stationery, phone credit, internet credit and of course all the lottery products, newspapers and magazines, etc. (including The Beast magazine).

How long have you had the shop?
My husband Graeme and I have owned this shop for over 16 years.

What made you decide to open it?
Graeme retired from his business and I retired from school teaching after thirty years so we both decided to start a business together.

What were you doing before you opened the shop?
I was school teaching in country and city schools, as well as doing ten years in distance education.

What would you do if you sold up?
Sleep in every morning and definitely go on a holiday.

How did you come up with the name?
The business was already called Waverley Newsagency when we bought it.

What’s the best thing about owning Waverley Newsagency?
No one telling you what to do – it gives you a real sense of independence.

Does anything about Waverley Newsagency piss you off?
The long hours, never having a day off, newspapers when they are late arriving in the morning, delivery vehicles always needing repairs… should I go on?

What’s your medium-to long-term plan for the business?
Keep on giving customers the best service and to improve the business by introducing new products over time.

Can Beast readers get a discount?
10% for Beast readers on stationery and cards only. Unfortunately the margin is too low on our other products.