Chugger Clampdown on Local High Streets

Charity fund-raisers to be restricted in Ealing and Acton

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Ealing Council in partnership with Ealing BID have announced a new agreement that will regulate the behaviour of charity fundraisers operating in the borough.

Under this new agreement from Monday (August 19), the number of face-to-face fundraisers, commonly known as ‘chuggers’, allowed to operate in an area will be limited to four. They will also be restricted to operating between 10am to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Ealing Broadway shopping area, and two days per week in the High Street, Acton.

The new agreement was signed between the council, Ealing BID and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) last month, and was developed after local businesses raised concerns about the impact face-to-face fundraisers had on discouraging people from visiting shopping centres.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: “We are pleased to announce this new agreement, because it introduces strict regulations for charity fundraisers working in our town centres, including restricting team size and their operating hours. This will allow charities to fundraise in the borough, without impacting too much on local businesses and their customers.”

Andy Pay, operations and contracts manager for Ealing BID, said: “This new agreement will hopefully encourage shoppers back into the town centre, bringing increased retail sales for businesses in the months leading up to Christmas.”

Charities which breach the agreement will be reported to the PFRA and potentially fined. Further information on face-to-face fundraising and the new agreement is available on the PFRA website.

August 19, 2013