Free Newspapers Told To Cut Vendors

A London borough is making new free newspapers, thelondonpaper and London Lite, cut the volume of vendors that distribute the titles on its streets.

Just 15 vendors for each paper are to be allowed to distribute in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, down from an estimated 60, a council source told the trade press. This restriction is expected to spread to other areas in the capital.

At a meeting last week, the council told representatives from publishers News International and Associated that all distributors working in the area would have to be licensed.

“London Lite‘s representatives are currently in discussions with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea over licences for merchandisers,” a spokesperson for Associated Newspapers told the Guardian. “Associated Newspapers has a strong relationship with the council and is confident that a positive outcome can be achieved for both sides.”

Westminster council has not asked for the number of distributors to be cut, but has added ten extra recycling bins to its streets. “We have noticed that our recycling bins have become fuller since the introduction of the new free newspapers,” said Leith Penny, the director of environment and leisure for Westminster.

“We have met with News International and Associated Newspapers to discuss the issues of recycling, litter and the numbers of distributors. I am sure we can arrive at a sensible arrangement that allows Westminster to keep its streets clean and the companies to distribute their papers.”

News International: 020 7782 3922 www.newscorp.co.uk