ANGRY traders have dubbed Clitheroe "charity shop city" amid plans to open three more outlets in the town.

Age Concern, Shelter and the anti-smoking charity, Quit, all intend taking permanent premises in the town centre - bringing the total to nine.

Now Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is to put the charity shop row forward for Parliamentary investigation.

And Clitheroe Chamber of Trade is calling for a by-law limiting the number of charity shops that can occupy a town centre.

President Nigel Pratt said: "We would rather see premises occupied, but charity shops enjoy unfair advantages.

"They get 80% rates relief, VAT perks and the use of volunteer staff. Furthermore, because of their low overheads, they can afford to pay high rents, which forces up the operating costs of everyone else." His members are worried that the economic well-being of Clitheroe will be affected if too many charity shops take root.

"Charity shops don't pay staff, don't advertise in local newspapers and don't use local builders. We have nothing against charities, but they are now big retail players and should pay retail rates. All we want is a level playing field," he said.

The Chamber has launched a get-tough plan to deal with the problem and is to lobby for the by-law and survey traders and shoppers to find out the "will of the people".

"Do people want a high street full of charity shops while they themselves have to shop out of town? If people are concerned they should make their voices heard," Mr Pratt added.

MP Nigel Evans, who is to push for a Parliamentary investigation into the matter, said there was "definitely a problem."

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