Charity 'chuggers' banned from Stafford town centre after complaints
Charity fundraisers have been banned from Stafford town centre after shoppers complained about being "harassed" by them.
Groups – often referred to as "chuggers" – are now prohibited under new Public Spaces Protection Orders' (PSPOs) rules.
A string of complaints had been made against the groups who are trying to get people to sign up to direct debits for charity, chiefs said.
It means they – alongside utility company salespeople – will have to apply for council permission and will be confined to a designated area.
Councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for communities and health and Stafford Borough Council, said: "Residents have told us that they want our town centres to be welcoming places.
"One of the nuisances complained of by our residents and visitors is that these pushy salespeople employed by charities are harassing them, and retailers have mentioned that customers say they have been put off coming to town."
