Retail guru Mary Portas has suggested the number of charity shops in town centres should be capped
Town bosses call for charity shop changes
By Craig Robinson
Thursday, October 27, 2011
12:00 PM
TOWN centre bosses last night said they would like to see some changes to rules affecting charity shops - following a controversial suggestion that the numbers should be capped.
Retail guru Mary Portas- best known for her BBC2 show Mary Queen of Shops - has suggested local authorities be given the power to limit the number of charity shops on high streets to allow more variety. Last night town centre bosses in Suffolk Coastal said they would rather see shops occupied than empty - although they did think certain changes would be beneficial.
Chris Mapey, chairman of Woodbridge Town Centre Management, said they currently had a good balance between independent stores and charity shops.
“The main bugbear is that charity shops get an exemption with business rates,” he said. “A discount is fine if they are truly selling donated goods - but many are now selling largely new items or brand new fairtrade type products. It seems they are only a charity shop when it suits them. There needs to be a level playing field and I think it could benefit from improved monitoring.”
Jonny Newton, chairman of Leiston Business Association (LBA), said: “Ideally you want independent shops, run by local people, selling local produce. However, the alternative is empty shops. Charity shops do fulfil a role in that sense.”
“I would like to see start up businesses given similar business rate exemptions as charity shops,” he added.
Annette Mason-Gordon, project co-ordinator for the Heritage Coast Market Towns Initiative, which includes Leiston, Aldeburgh and Saxmundham, said: “I feel that too many charity shops in a town is detrimental to first impressions and a cap on them in relation to other traders would be a good idea. However, it is probably the presentation of the shops in relation to their upkeep and window dressing which carries the impact.”
The Charity Retail Association has strongly criticised Portas’ suggestion.
Wendy Mitchell said: “The problems on the high street are nothing to do with charity shops. A cap on the number of charity shops is a direct cap on the amount that charities are able to fundraise at a time when funding is being cut.”
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7 comments
I think charity shops are a asset to our community,however some are charging almost as much as new clothes, they go by brand and set prices, for some worn out items this is not appropriate, in many cases its cheaper to trawl the high street shops and purchase new.
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Girty
Thursday, October 27, 2011
I personally like charity shops but I do feel that they are getting a bit pricey. I mean I would buy much more if it were a reasonable price so wouldn't that be better? They could turn over their stock much quicker?
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Felixstowe Girl
Thursday, October 27, 2011
i agree with origami penguin ... and what right as a jumped up person who thinks she knows it all got , telling us how to run our town centres . i blame the media they big these ppl up and they then think they are Gods gift
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Tinatyping
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Perhaps charity shops would be more popular if they updated their image& displays (as per Mary's TV series). They'd gain more money too.
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horsewhisperer
Thursday, October 27, 2011
I have nothing wrong with Charity shops, but I too have noticed an increase in the newbrandedfairtrade goods being sold. There should only be so many of these items allowed before the shop must pay proper rates.
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K Mcc
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wouldn't hurt Portas to visit a few good charity shops judging by that awful dress and wig.
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JOHN BURLS
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Better a High Street full of charity shops than a High Street full of boarded up shop windows.
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Origami Penguin
Thursday, October 27, 2011