Charity Retail Association challenges Mary Portas

The Charity Retail Association has attacked retail guru, Mary Portas, for her recommendation to the government to cap the number of charity shops able to claim rate relief, suggesting that charity shops are enjoying more public

support than ever before.

Latest consumer research from the association reveals that such stores are a vital resource on the high street, pointing out that growing fears of a double-dip make them an ever more attractive option for cash-conscious consumers.

Portas, who has been appointed by David Cameron to carry out a report into the state and future of the British high street, proposed the cap to the All Party Parliamentary meeting; Wendy Mitchell, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Association, rejected Portas’ suggestions, “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 grants and funding to charities are being cut. Charity shops raise over £200m for causes in the UK every year. Our research demonstrates what a vital resource on the high street charity shops are, particularly for those on low incomes.”

Gerard Cousins, Retail & Trading Director at the charity Barnardo’s, agrees that charity shops are invaluable to the high street. “They occupy otherwise vacant premises, offer a service to the local community in providing a choice of quality, affordable goods and ensure that the public can recycle unwanted items – keeping them out of landfill.

“I believe the high street should be regenerated, however I do not believe this needs to be at the expense of stores currently renting high street retail units”.