# Petition submitted to save Welsh charity shops

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/01/11/petition-submitted-save-welsh-charity-shops/
- Published: 2013-01-11T17:36:07+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A petition signed by 22,191 people has been handed in to the Welsh Assembly in
an effort to persuade the Welsh Government to help protect Welsh charity shops from
an increase in business rates.**

The petition calls upon the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government
to reject proposals which will restrict the vital business rate relief for Welsh
Charity shops. If they are not rejected, the changes could cost charities £1.2 million,
according to the Charity Retail Association.

The campaign has been instigated by the Charity Retail Association with support 
from Welsh charity organisations WCVA, Tenovus, Oxfam Cymru, Paul Sartori Foundation,
Ty Hafan, Protection for Cats, Marie Curie, British Red Cross and Hospies Cymru,
representing over 250 Welsh charity shops.

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Warren Alexander, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: "Charity
shops make a vital contribution to raising income for a huge range of good causes
in Wales. 100 per cent of their profits go to charity, raising over £12 million 
every year in Wales.

"Proposals which reduce business rate relief or restrict charity shops in other 
ways will reduce this income, and will cause charity shops to close, leaving more
empty shops on Welsh high streets and threatening 700 full time jobs and 9,000 volunteering
opportunities offered by charity shops in Wales. It would significantly reduce the
services that charities are able to provide in Welsh communities, having a disastrous
effect on many people all across Wales".

The Welsh Government is currently reviewing evidence and due to make a decision 
this month.

www.charityretail.org.uk

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 * **[Charity shops report Q2 increase in sales & income](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/09/04/charity-shops-report-q2-increase-sales-income/)**(
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