As previously reported, charity shops have recently become the target of widespread criticism as the debate about the future of the high street continues.
Due to business rates relief and other financial advantages afforded to charitable organisations, two different reports conducted since 2011 have cited charity shops as a cause, as much as a symptom, of the rapid decline of UK high streets – in fact, the Welsh Assembly is currently examining options in order to reduce the 80 per cent business rates relief as a result of these damaging claims.
However, the Charity Retail Association (CRA) does not believe that charity shops are at the root of the decline of town centres. Instead, it claims that charity shops do a lot of good on the high street which extends beyond fundraising
Warren Alexander, the chief executive of the CRA says; “Charity shops are successful, and because they are successful they are scapegoated.
“What is new is that certain types of charity are seeing the opportunity to reach more people through their shops.
“Their client group may want their services on the high street because it can be a less formal space and more part of their daily lives.”
There is certainly plenty of evidence to back up Mr Alexander’s claims, especially within charities catering towards mental health awareness or social issues. Mental health charity Mind, for example, now offers staff and volunteers in its stores the chance to train in mental health awareness and mental health first aid, while homelessness charity Shelter offers those seeking housing advice several in-store outlets where trained volunteers can provide assistance throughout the country.
Mr Alexander believes that much of the vitriol charity shops receive is as a result of the parent charity failing to showcase the positive impact these outlets can have. This sentiment is backed up by director of retail and trading at Barnardo’s, Gerard Cousins, who coordinates a programme of volunteering and training schemes in the charity’s 538 UK stores.
Barnardo’s specifically caters its training programmes towards young people, those with learning difficulties and offenders – three of the categories currently struggling most in the jobs market. Mr Cousins insists that the services they provide create valuable opportunities for jobseekers as well as easing the burden placed on the shoulders of local authorities.
“If there were no more Barnardo’s shops, it would leave a gap for just over 10,000 people who volunteer for us.
“The impact we bring is sometimes undersold by our own sector and it is perhaps even more important in an economic downturn.
“If we did not do what we do, it would put more pressure on local authorities, particularly with the volunteers with learning difficulties,” he says.
With charity shops also helping to reduce high street vacancy rates in many areas, perhaps it is time to acknowledge the valuable role these organisations play in the town centres of the UK.
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