I MUST say that I agree with Graham Jones, city traders’ group ROX, Rescue Oxford.
People do like charity shops but there are far too many of them in small areas.
They spring up all over the place. Headington must have eight or more of these charity shops, far too many for such a small shopping area, but the people running these shops at cut-price rents are doing very well for themselves.
They don’t buy stock, their staff are all voluntary workers, except the manager, so an ordinary retailer cannot compete with these people because they have to pay full rents, buy in their stock and sell it before seeing any profit. Charity shops should pay the full rent on these properties. They are laughing all the way to the bank.
You don’t find a poor charity, they may plead poverty but don’t be taken in by it, they’re better off than you think. That’s why so many of them are springing up everywhere.
P HOWARD, Brome Place, Barton Estate, Headington
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