Brighton shops in call to reduce 'chuggers'

The number of street charity collectors in Brighton could be cut after shops complained they put off customers.

Brighton Business Improvement District (BBID), which represents more than 500 businesses, hopes to form an agreement with the "chuggers" regulator.

"We have been massively affected by them in an extremely detrimental way," said Tim Price, of JuJu clothes shop.

But Martina, a collector for Action for Blind People, said persuading people to help charity was a tough job.

Gavin Stewart, spokesman for BBID, said the presence of the chuggers created an atmosphere that was "less conducive" to people shopping.

"We have just done a bit of a survey with our businesses and of those that responded, 85% said they felt the chuggers needed a bit more management on the street," he said.

BBID has been holding discussions with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA), which regulates face-to-face fundraising.

BBID wants to ban chuggers from the seafront, Air Street and most of the North Laine.

The number would be cut between Cranbourne Street and Duke Street, East Street and St James Street and London Road.

Mr Price said the pedestrianised area outside his shop was a favourite spot for the chuggers and potential customers avoided them.

"We can see that the footfall into the shop is dramatically decreased," he said.

"They are most definitely putting shopping to the back of people's minds while they try to avoid these people."

Martina, who did not want to give her second name, said it was upsetting that people looked down on the fundraisers.

"They should appreciate what we do because it is a very tough job. I think they should change their mindset on this," she said.

"It really does depend on how you approach people because if you approach them in a nice way they are more than happy to talk to you."