Dublin
city councillors will this evening vote on the introduction of new
planning controls which would prohibit certain types of retail outlet
from opening on the city’s main shopping street on the grounds they
“would detract from the character of the street”.
‘Unsuitable’ list
Charity shops are proposed for inclusion on the list of shops which would not in future be granted planning permission. The list also covers sex shops, off-licences, amusement arcades, fast-food restaurants, euro stores and bookmakers among others considered unsuitable for the street.
Fundraising Ireland and the Irish Charity Shops Association
have asked the council not to go ahead with the ban which they
suggested was based on snobbery and could cut off a source of potential
donations from charities.
They also objected to being put “on a par”
with businesses such as sex shops, bookmakers and amusement arcades.
“Quality charity shops can increase footfall and unless Dublin City Council
has evidence otherwise, we would have to question whether their
decision is based on snobbery,” Fundraising Ireland chief executive Anne Hanniffy said.
Oxfam
Ireland which has a shop on South King Street, off Grafton Street, said
the proposals did not take into consideration the modern-day charity
shop experience.
“We are disappointed that these proposals haven’t taken
into consideration the evolution of charity shops like Oxfam’s into
fashion destinations in their own right. Our shops offer consumers a
great value alternative that is eco-friendly and has the feel-good
factor,” chief executive Jim Clarken said.
Fianna
Fáil councillor Mary Fitzpatrick is tabling a motion at the meeting to
remove the ban on charity shops.
“As long as charity shops comply with
the planning standards being required of other retailers on Grafton
Street they should not be subjected to negative discrimination,” she
said.