Shoppers' complaints about charity fundraising in Croydon town centre have sparked new measures to restrict their activities.
Croydon Business Improvement District has introduced measures following complaints from shoppers they were fed up of being “confronted” by the fundraisers.
Only five street fundraisers will be allowed on the streets at a time and they have also been ordered to stay in just two small areas of the south London town centre.
Fundraisers will only be allowed to work between 9am and 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the North End area of the borough.
The restrictions apply to charity fundraisers who sign up people to donate via direct debit.
Matthew Sims, chief executive of the Croydon Business Improvement District, said: “In our 2014 survey of consumer perceptions of Croydon town centre, 59% of the 400 people surveyed said the issue of charity collectors out on the street required improving in the town centre.
“Similarly businesses identified this as a priority area for improving.”
Peter Hills-Jones, of the Public Fundraising Regulation Association (PFRA), said: “It is an effective way of regulating fundraising on the high street, allowing charities to raise money for good causes, but at the same time protecting the public.
“People complain that they often feel confronted when they are out shopping and agreements such as this ensure that fundraisers are sensitive to this in terms of where they position themselves and the number of days and people involved in fundraising.”
The regulator described it as a "milestone" and said they are working to make high streets more welcoming for shoppers.
