October is Home News Delivery Month, and we would like to thank the many newsagents and local shops who work tirelessly to bring our local, independent journalism straight to your door.

This week, we are putting our hands together for Court News in Bury St Edmunds, which is responsible for getting 200 daily copies of the East Anglian Daily Times to our loyal readers.

Court News is run by Carl Whitehouse, whose family took over the running of the shop 20 years ago.

Local news is an integral part of business, explained Mr Whitehouse proudly, for his team delivers to all the surrounding towns and villages – Moulton, Kentford, Risby, Culford, West Stow, Horringer, Barrow, Horringer and Morton Hall to name just a few.

The day begins at 4am sharp, when the newspapers reach the shop, with Court News’ delivery drivers departing shortly thereafter.

In Mr Whitehouse’s view, proper, printed newspapers are here to stay.

“People have had them for so long, it’s part of their daily routine – they wake up, put the kettle on and read it over their breakfast. It really mucks their day up if the newspaper is running late.!” Mr Whitehouse explained.

This is a lot of pressure, but thankfully Mr Whitehouse’s trusty fleet of vans are more than up to the task of uniting each customer with the newspaper of choice.

Carl Whitehouse of Court News, Bury St EdmundsCarl Whitehouse of Court News, Bury St Edmunds (Image: Lucy Taylor)

It was a surprise to Mr Whitehouse when his parents, Trevor and Lynda, purchased the shop in 2004. However, two decades on and with a loyal team of 12 on board, business is booming.

Since closing its Post Office, the shop has been transformed into a party shop, offering all manner of decorations perfect for celebrations, including over 1,000 designs of helium balloons.