You can judge the health of a high street by the number of charity shops. The worse things are, the more spring up. Not surprisingly, many of our area's have plenty. The work of these shops, and the band of volunteers who run them, is laudable. They raise much-needed funds to combat disease and help the less fortunate. However, the cost to you and I is heavy. When there are a large number of charity shops in a prime retail area the cost is very heavy indeed. Think about it. Charity shop workers aren't paid so don't redistribute wages to other businesses. They suck customers from traditional businesses, often selling goods that are in direct competition. Often their rates bills are a fraction of those slapped on other shops, depriving councils of revenue. The shop staff will argue they are helping the needy. But, in the present credit crunch, we all need a helping hand. Charity, I'm afraid, begins at home. The message is simple. If do-gooders want our support they should go back to the traditional method of rattling tins - that way we've got a choice about giving...and we know exactly how much it is costing us. | 
