WITH the UK on lockdown, The Reading Chronicle has become an even more important source of trusted local news and entertainment for the community.

As part of The Reading Chronicle’s Covid-19 campaign, we will be highlighting local newsagent heroes each week showing you the people who are continuing to go into work in order to keep newspapers sold and delivered to thousands.

This week, we spoke to Munir Butt, owner of Butts Super News in The Triangle, Tilehurst.

Mr Butt has been running the family business for 15-16 years now and has remained open during the coronavirus pandemic in order to continue serving his customers.

He said business varies day to day, revealing one day “it’s really good” and the next it is quiet which has resulted in him “struggling” at times.

Safety measures have been put in place to keep customers safe during the pandemic.

Only two customers are allowed in the shop at any one time with those waiting to enter the shop needing to queue outside.

Mr Butt said: “I’m doing my best to keep my customers safe.”

He added that he has many customers who are senior citizens who are “stuck in the house” and can’t go to the shop to pick up essentials themselves.

Although the shop doesn’t offer a delivery service, customers have been calling Mr Butt to ask him to put items such as newspapers aside for them to be collected by family and friends and delivered to their homes.

He said he is “trying to help people” and “doing my best to keep people going”.

Before the pandemic, the store sold greetings cards and gifts and did not sell groceries.

Now, Mr Butt sells groceries such as bread, milk and eggs to make it easier for locals to shop during the pandemic and stop people from needing to queue for larger shops.

Mr Butt says the news is “essential” for people at this time and the Chronicle is a popular choice as it provides people with local information.

He explained he is always “friendly” with his customers but thinks he is “even closer” to them now due to the pandemic.

He said: “People appreciate what I’m doing and how much I’m doing for them.”

He added: “I want to keep it open for these people so they can get on with their life.”

Butts Super News is open Monday to Saturday from 7am until 6pm.