Oxford and Oxfordshire news, sport and information updated throughout the day

Businesses suffer in `charity shop capital'

From the archive, first published Monday 30th Jul 2001.

A new charity shop has come under fire from its neighbours who claim the area already has too many similar stores.

The British Heart Foundation opened its fundraising shop in London Road, Headington, two weeks ago.

But neighbouring businesses say the shop is a threat to other stores and should not have been allowed in the area, which has been dubbed the "charity shop capital of Oxford".

Fergus Doyle, who owns the West of Java furniture shop opposite, said: "It will affect my business. I do a line of low-budget clothes in the summer.

"Obviously, the charity shops are competition, but they have an unfair advantage. They have lower overheads. They don't have to pay as high rents or taxes.

"Soon all you will have here is charity shops taking business away from each other. It's not good for Headington as an up-and-coming retail community.

"I agree with the cause, but there's no need for more charity shops here."

Nicholas Newman, who produces the Headington Forum newsletter, said charity shops damaged Headington's image.

He added: "It's cruel to target one charity shop, but they all look the same, selling tatty old books, old clothes. Two is enough. In Headington we have six."

A British Heart Foundation spokesman defended her store.

She said: "We have received no complaints, only compliments about the look of the shop and quality of stock.

"We are still a very new shop. If we are competition for others then I am happy. It's all about customer choice. We don't force anyone to come to us."