Street collectors agree a ‘chugger’s charter’

GLASGOW is to clamp down on charity fundraisers with a set of regulations that will limit when and where they can operate in the city.

The voluntary agreement, signed by Glasgow City Council and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA), sets out six parts of the city centre and seven other dedicated zones where face-to-face street fundraising will be allowed to take place.

From 30 April, when the agreement takes effect, there will be a maximum of five fundraisers at each location and each site will be limited to two days a week in the centre of Glasgow and three days in the out of city zones.

The new agreement means fundraisers – or “chuggers”, charity muggers, as they are called by some – must make sure their position on the street does not “impede the egress of members of the public” and that they do not block shop entrances or are within three metres of al fresco dining areas.

It will also ensure that all street fundraisers carry photo identity cards and wear official charity tabards or official distinctive clothing.

Any member of the public who feels that fundraisers are not adhering to the established national code of professional conduct can contact the PFRA, who will then investigate.

Failure to obey this agreement or working outside the agree locations could see the imposition of penalties or sanctions, including future fundraising visits being suspended.

Though Glasgow is the first Scottish local authority to sign up to the agreement, last year Essential Edinburgh, the city centre management company, joined the scheme.

The PFRA has already agreed similar schemes with 41 councils in England and Wales.

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said the move was needed to improve the image of charity collectors and the experience of shoppers.

“The issue of street fundraisers is a source of annoyance to many shoppers and visitors to Glasgow,” he said. “However, we recognise that charities have the legal right to fundraise on our streets.

“We must ensure that people working, living and visiting Glasgow are not inconvenienced. We believe this new voluntary agreement will go a long way to helping solve the issues raised by the public about street fundraisers.”

The council’s decision was welcomed yesterday by members of the public in Glasgow’s city centre.

Student Kirsty Smith, 22, said: “I think it’s a good idea. They can be aggressive. Sometimes, even if I say ‘no’ to them, they keep walking up the street with you.”

Emma Moore, 21, said she understood charities needed to raise money, but using street fundraisers could be counterproductive. “You can find yourself being asked two minutes apart by people from the same charity,” she added.

Dr Toby Ganley, PFRA’s head of policy, said: “This agreement strikes the right balance between charities’ duty to ask the public for donations and the right of the public not to be put under undue pressure to give. We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the council in drawing up this agreement.”

The PFRA will operate a diary management system, which charities can pre-book to allow them to fundraise on one of the agreed locations.

Seven out-of-city zones

Seven other dedicated zones where face-to-face street fundraising will be allowed:

BYRES ROAD

Lawrence St to Ruthven St

PARTICK (DUMBARTON ROAD)

Crow Rd to Fortrose St

CESSNOCK (PAISLEY ROAD WEST)

North Gower St to Lorne St

GOVAN ROAD

Napier Rd to Burleigh St

PARKHEAD

Gallowgate from St Michael’s Lane to Duke St; Duke St from Gallowgate to East Wellington St; Westmuir St from Gallowgate to Sorby St; and Tollcross Rd from Westmuir St to Sorby St

ALEXANDRA PARADE

Alexandra Park St to Armadale St

DUKE STREET

Cumbernauld Rd to Bellfield St