Crunch meeting to tackle Charity Shops

 

The past year has been tough for the local high street, with the opening of Tesco and the new one-way system also blamed for a downturn in business amidst the global recession.

 

But it is the number of charity shops that dominate the town centre which has been a long-term bugbear for retailers who believe the rate relief provides unfair trading conditions.

 

And now a meeting has been called by a local Business Forum with AM Russell George in a bid to lobby for a change of policy at the Welsh Government.

 

One shop owner told us: “If it was a level playing field and we all had the rate relief then you would find more shops opening in the town centre, instead of charity shops. I don’t have a problem with them in principal as they raise vital funds but it is the number that is the issue and the support they receive as opposed to the hard working local retailer next door.”

 

Shop keepers have also become frustrated that charity shops now sell brand new items, including some which are stocked by them at a higher price because of their overheads.

 

The meeting of the Welshpool Projects (Business Forum) takes place on Monday January 16, 7pm in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall.