Wisbech Town Council has clarified its position on charity stalls.
The council had received complaints from some market traders about what they feel to be the unfair competition they face from charity stalls on Wisbech Market Place selling similar items such as CDs, DVDs, handbags.
At the meeting of the Market Place Management Committee, the clerk said charities are allowed to have a stall on Wisbech Market to raise awareness, get donations and for a raffle or tombola.
However, they are not allowed to sell items, although the council can arrange charity markets where items can be sold as part of its series of themed markets.
Terry Jordan, Wisbech Town Council clerk, said: “The purpose of introducing the new approach to charity stalls on Wisbech Market is to address the unfair competition that traders can face if registered charities are permitted to sell goods at Wisbech Market but pay no fees to the council.”
The council also heard that the level of income generated by the market has increased.
The income received between April 1 and July 31 last year was £25,608, which is £1,958 more than the same period in 2013 (£23.650).
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