Deal agreed on limiting charity collectors in Nantwich town centre

Charity collectors known as “Chuggers” will be limited to two days a week in Nantwich town centre.

A new agreement will mean collections will be limited to two fundraisers, and two visits per week.

The collectors will also be limited to the pedestrianised area of High Street, between Hospital Street, Oatmarket and Churchyardside.

The site management agreement has been made after discussions between Nantwich Town Council, Cheshire East Council, and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

It follows scores of complaints from shoppers and retailers in the town centre who said too many charity collectors were putting visitors off.

Nantwich Town Council had hoped to limit the visits to just one day a week.

“We didn’t quite get what we wanted,” said Ian Hope, clerk of Nantwich Town Council.

“But it isn’t too bad. There can only be a maximum of two fundraisers and two visits a week.

“This is a change to the frequency and number of fundraisers on any particular visit.”

Before this agreement, up to five fundraisers have operated in Nantwich on three days a week.

However, it is a voluntary agreement as collectors who are not accepting cash from the public are not currently licensed.

“We have to bear in mind this is a voluntary agreement, but they can be fined by the regulatory body,” added Mr Hope.

“So it’s important we do monitor this agreement and what happens in the future.”

If the PFRA receives a certain number of complaints, then charities they are collecting for could be fined up to £1,000.

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