PRIME site charity shops in Leigh have been slammed by Leigh Business Partnership for undermining normal retail shops in the town.

According to the Partnership, many such organisations have now become commercial organisations but without paying rates or VAT.

Normal retailers cannot hope to compete with these advantages and are, according to a report by the Partnership, "adding further misery to the situation" by their proliferation.

Gordon Jackson, chairman of the Leigh Business Partnership, refused to comment on the criticism made in a report on behalf of the entire Partnership which is fighting for a regenerated Leigh town centre.

But the report has already caused irritation among charity organisations in Leigh.

Joanne McLeod of Help the Aged, said: "Before commenting it would be a good idea for critics to do more research. Help the Aged do pay full rent and rates and we also take out long term leases on properties, normally 15 years, so we are certainly not here today and gone tomorrow.

"We firmly believe it is better to be in these units rather than leaving them empty, and it is better for the town. We also have paid staff and volunteers, and in Leigh we have a full-time manager and deputy as well as voluntary staff.

"With regards to criticism that we don't pay for stock, I must point out that it still takes time and expense to process stock offered to us by local people, and we certainly fill a service to the people of Leigh.

"We have to operate at a profit to survive and the fact that we do survive shows that local people appreciate the service we offer."

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