An anti-idling saboteur is suppressing the Idler‘s right to be seen, says Tom Hodgkinson

There is an enemy in our midst. I admit that I have not yet amassed enough evidence to form a watertight case. But I strongly suspect that an agent, hostile to our mission, is secretly undermining our attempt to bring idling to the world.

These, then, are the facts. It’s my habit, when buying a few bottles of St Austell Tribute from our nearby Waitrose, to inspect the magazine rack. Because of our small size, the Idler magazine can often get slightly obscured by larger magazines. So I shift them to one side and ensure that Waitrose shoppers can see the cover.

Ten days ago, I went to inspect our little pile of mags to find that it had been completely obscured by a large football magazine. Some mistake. I moved the offending organ back to its proper place, alongside the other crap football magazines.

A few days later, I made my inspection only to find that the football magazine was again completely obscuring the Idler.

Again I moved it back, thinking perhaps that a staff member had put it there in error.

A few days later, I inspected the magazine racks and there it was again!

Was this the work of a hostile entity, or was I being paranoid?

Three days later I visited the magazine rack. Once again, the saboteur had struck! A fourth time! Once might be dismissed as an accident, twice as carelessness. But three or four times? Surely this was a deliberate act of sabotage.

I started fantasising about hiding behind the crockery counter all day, with a camera, waiting for the culprit – let’s call them the Waitrose Saboteur.

I wonder if this enemy agent is going round other retail outlets and hiding the Idler. Maybe they’re being paid by a rival publisher to smother us, censor us, obliterate us.

Whatever the truth of the matter, I call on all readers to help us in our mission to ensure that the magazine can be seen on the newsstand. Next time you visit a WH Smiths Travel outlet, or a TG Jones, or a Waitrose, or a Booths, please help us with some strategic product shifting. And if you do happen to see someone furtively covering up the Idler, let me know.

Thank you.

Live well,

Tom

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SELECTED COMMENTS

These comments were mailed to us after an earlier version of this piece was sent out as a newsletter. We like to publish a selection and reserve the right to edit them for clarity. Please add your thoughts in the box below.

Sir: I just went into the Waitrose in Monmouth and there was no sign of the Idler. I wish I’d rummaged around behind the other mags now.
Tony O’Shaughnessy

Sir: As a proud Northerner, I shop at Booths and am pleased to report the ongoing disply of your magnificent organ. As of today, Thursday 11th June 2026, it is where it belongs. Up front and dead centre.
Steve Bithell
PS What the hell did I just write?

Sir: Maybe the saboteurs do not want to support an illegal and environmentally damaging activity? They probably never looked inside the magazine.
Dieter Balkenborg

“A Drink with the Idler” returns later this year

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The July 2026 issue of the Idler (#110) is available in Waitrose, Smiths and TG Jones.

Click here for your nearest stockist.