One interesting piece in the local papers this week and also in the national news, thanks in no small part to Government retail "Csarina" Mary Portas, is the whole question of how many charity shops should be tolerated in Britain's High Streets. The Queen of Shops, Ms Portas, seems to be putting a strong case forward for their numbers being limited so that the High Street can breath more easily and be potentially more appealing to more upmarket retailers and customers instead of being, half boarded up, no-go areas. Now, I'm not suggesting Tonbridge has become that but, let's face it: it isn't what it once was. Question is: can this practicably be achieved? Is there even a problem? Shouldn't market forces just determine their number? Maybe, in the current economic climate there just wouldn't be any other business people willing to risk taking out leases and all the other costs involved in shop fitting and setting up the a business. But should charities be given preferential treatment on rates and, in many cases, rents when there are non-charity businesses trying to compete for the same shop units. It's my understanding that many landlords actually quite like charities being in their properties because these organisations are perceived as fairly safe bets being, often, national or global businesses with many other similar successful shops in other towns. In effect they are proven success stories. On the other side of the coin though you might take a longer term view and say that the increased numbers of charity shops, and Tonbridge has 12 in the town centre by my reckoning, is blighting once vibrant High Streets, which had a broad range of traditional shops, and driving many shoppers to other nearby towns where charity shops melt into the background because there's a much wider choice of other shops. Being a retailer myself in the town I am up against some charity shops who have far better locations than my shop, an army of volunteers (Oxfam aims for 40 so it has been reported) professional shop fitters, retail analysts and experienced managers all at their disposal. Fair competition? Oh and they also get free stock! It's difficult to argue against charity shops without sounding, well, uncharitable but it is tough at times to compete with them. However, like most small business owners who love what they do, I personally will keep going for as long as I possibly can, until the bitter end if necessary. It does seem though somewhat ironic that many of these charities seem to have much deeper pockets than the businesses they might be helping to drive away. It will be interesting to see the reaction to Mary P's report when it comes out and to see whether anything actually changes....
PS. The 12 Charity shops in Tonbridge are, in no particular order: Bridge Trust, Hospice in Weald, Scope, British Heart Foundation, Help the Aged, Oxfam Books, Shelter, Mencap, Hospice of Hope, YMCA, Barnardos and the Tamworth Childrens Hospice.
3 comments:
PS and the Scott project shop, Sense shop.
Its not just charity shops that benefit from their status but Tonbridge public school gains enourmous benefits for those that can afford to go there. No business rates, no taxes, Vat exempt. Looks like the ordinary folk of Tonbridge are subsidising the privileged.
There was a time when the school traded with shops and businesses in the town but those days are over with supplies comming from out of town wholesalers.
I agree. I've never understood why small town schools that started off as charitable "houses" built to educate the poor should flourish into huge, multi million £ busineses and yet still be exempt from the usual ravages of rent, rates and taxes. How are they allowed to charge such huge fees per child per term yet still be registered as a charity?
As for the charity shop thing. It makes the figures look good for the council. They occupy otherwise empty shops.
Perhaps the new cafe/market shop opening in Burtons will start a flourish of more businsesses opening.
If you book them, they will come type thing.
One can hope at least!
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