Deal places curbs on charity fundraisers
CHARITY fundraisers are being hit with tighter controls and ordered not to pester shoppers.
The council has signed a deal to bring in stricter controls on charity fundraisers operating on the streets of Macclesfield. There will be limits on when and where the fundraisers – known as chuggers – can approach people for donations.
Fundraisers must not pester customers, follow them in the street, stand within three metres of a shop doorway, cashpoint, pedestrian crossing or station entrance. They must also be sure the customer is not under the influence of drink or drugs or unable to give consent through illness.
There can be a maximum of four fundraisers spread along Mill Street between Exchange Street and Church Street, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
The move came after shoppers complained that some charity fundraisers were being a nuisance.
Cheshire East set up a working group to tackle the problem and has signed an agreement with the organisation that regulates chuggers and manages complaints, known as the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.
Steph Cordon, the council’s head of communities, said: “We have had far too many complaints from retailers and businesses, also members of the public, who say they are suffering inconvenience because of the presence of face-to-face fundraisers in their town centre. We want our town centres to be welcoming places and people should not feel deterred by the presence of paid charity workers and businesses should not suffer because customers are put off visiting their shops.”
Readers welcomed the news on the Express Facebook page.
Rachel
Calnun-Pratt said she has stopped shopping in Macclesfield because of the chuggers.
She said: “You can’t make your way down Mill Street without being approached more than once. I am all for charities being in the town with collection boxes and even stands encouraging people to donate. Approaching people in the street asking for bank details putting them on the spot is very unnerving, especially for the vulnerable.”
Elisabeth Howard said: “They can be a nuisance approaching you when you just want to go about your business.”
David Taggart said: “It puts me off going down Mill Street.”
The new protocol comes into effect on June 22.