Council take action to remove ‘harassing’ street sales people – such tactics “not welcome” in town centre

A particularly persistent bunch of pop up sales people in the town centre have been booted out by Wrexham Council.

The prime spot in Wrexham town centre often has sales people who will approach you to try and sell you something or get you to donate to a charity. This week has seen an uptick in the persistence and volume of the sellers, with complaints being made over their conduct.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard told us, “The type of companies that come and harass the people of Wrexham and visitors to the town are simply not welcome. It is off putting and wrong.

“I have witnessed it myself this week, it is too much of a hard sell. I understand people are trying to make a living and it is commission based sales, but over that line is something we do not want.”

“To be clear this is not about buskers or pedlars, buskers bring atmosphere to the town centre. This is about commission based companies, and people working on behalf of companies and organisations in an unacceptable way.”

“We have had lots of complaints this week so I had a walk over and witnessed it myself. It is too much. We will not allow them back to town.”

“They were warned earlier this week, but they were at it again, so we removed them.”

Running the gauntlet of tinkers / hawkers and other annoyances in @wrexham every day. The pinch point outside Barclays. Please can we get rid?! @wrexhamcbc

— Matthew Bird (@MatthewBird71) July 4, 2019

We have previously been told that the council have outsourced some elements of hiring Queens Square and other areas to a company called Pinpoint. This generates revenue for Wrexham Council, and opens the town out to a wider possible market for events and promotions, and also means less staffing implications (and we assume therefore cost) to the council.

The contracts in place give guidance to acceptable standards, which we are told should limit such sales people to two people at a time. This week we have seen reports of four and up to six being active in the pinch point pictured above.

Town Centre Manager Amanda Davies told us there was a booking this week due to run from Monday through Saturday, however on day one there had been several complaints. A warning was issued by the town centre team, and agreement was reached by those involved that the issues would not be repeated.

Sadly it seems the actions persisted so Pinpoint were contacted and the company has been ‘removed’ and told not to return.

Ms Davies was keen to point out that the council does and will back charities, however the manner of the ‘hard sell’ that has been seen this week won’t be permitted.

Top pic: running the gauntlet yesterday, one did approach us but left us alone when we said no.