Street Canvassers Are ‘Putting Us Off’ Shopping In Town Centre

‘The number of street canvassers are putting us off shopping’ – that is the message from some shoppers in Wrexham Town Centre.

Over the past few weeks there have a been a number of comments online regarding the number of commercial, charity and leaflet canvassers that are in Wrexham Town Centre – particularly on Hope Street.

Last week several people contacted Wrexham.com regarding the number of street canvassers approaching shoppers in the town centre, with one Twitter user saying: “Walked up Hope Street this morning and was staggered at the amount of them. Do they have to be WMBC approved?”. Another Twitter user added that they seem to ‘travel in packs’.

Elsewhere online we have also seen comments from shoppers who have said the number of people who approach them in the street with sales, means they now either avoid the street altogether or keep their shopping in the town centre to a minimum. One shopper in the town told Wrexham.com that it ‘puts me off walking through the town centre, I regularly get stopped walking back and to from work’.

We queried with Wrexham Council on the protocol and procedures for those who are distributing leaflets / collecting for charity in the Town Centre. Below are the details on what is allowed in the town centre and who you can contact if you wish to make a complaint.

Queens Square only

Bookings are arranged for commercial and charity promotions (by Town Centre Management), for which organisations bringing a vehicle onto the Square etc pay a fee to the Council. Any enquiries re Queens Square ONLY can be made to the Council on 01978 292540

Charity direct-debit sign-ups by canvassers in the street

These are regulated by the PFRA – the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association , http://www.pfra.org.uk/ . The Association has agreements in place with 103 areas in relation to days / locations of operation. Wrexham is one of the locations with an agreement in place. See website.

Complaints regarding the conduct of these canvassers may be made to the PFRA. This relates to charities seeking people to sign up to make regular monthly direct debit donations.

Commercial and non-charity canvassers trying to sell credit cards etc

These are not regulated by the PFRA or the Council. Any complaints regarding their conduct such as anti-social behaviour, obstruction, threatening or abusive behaviour etc may be reported to the company or to the Police.

Charity cash collections with tins ( ‘Flag Days’)

These are regulated and strictly allocated by the Council’s Licensing Dept ( 01978 315788 ). Charities are given a permit for a particular day and area free of charge, and authorised badges for collectors to wear.

Street traders – e.g. balloons, Christmas paper etc

Street trading in the town centre is prohibited, EXCEPT as part of an organised market OR by sellers who are on foot, move around from place to place, and possess a current Pedlar’s Certificate, issued by any Police Station, which permits them to sell goods as a pedlar in any area. A Pedlar’s Certificate is not required for news or printed material e.g. the Big Issue, periodicals or College Rag Mags etc.

There is no permission or licence required for anyone to approach a member of the public on the public highway, offering information, or sale / sign-up of items, provided that their behaviour does not constitute an offence.

There is also no licence required to hand out information / offers/ fliers for local businesses etc to the public if they wish to accept such items.