'Chuggers' face ban from Stafford town centre

Shoppers and workers will soon no longer be 'harassed' by groups who are trying to get people to sign up to direct debits for national charities, often referred to as chuggers.

The move, by Stafford Borough Council, follows complaints from people around the town.

In future the chuggers – and utility company sales people - will have to apply to the council for permission to come in to town and be confined to a designated area only.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for communities and health, said: “We want to ensure our town centres are welcoming places. Places where people can spend leisure time, shop, relax, or even set up business and we don’t want that ruined by anti social behaviour, alcohol related issues, or other forms of nuisance.

“One of the nuisances complained of by our residents and visitors is that these direct debit collectors are harassing them and retailers have mentioned that customers say they have been put off coming in to town.”

He added “We have already liaised with the police and other partners about how we address these types of behaviour and now we hope our residents will give us their feedback.”

Now Stafford Borough Council is asking residents and businesses for views on using Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle issues in the county town including the chuggers, anti-social behaviour, and cyclists riding on the pedestrianised high street.

Details of a consultation will be released at a later date if the cabinet give the plans the green light.