The Charity Retail Association has hit out at suggestions by retail celebrity Mary Portas that the number of charity shops on the high street should be limited by tax laws.

The CRA is writing to the Prime Minister to object to the suggestion, put forward by Portas at an All Party Parliamentary Group on Town Centres meeting in mid-October, that there should be a limit on the number of charity shops which are able to claim rate relief.

The association, which represents charity shops across the country, is concerned that Portas’ view might be reflected in the High Street Review, which was launched in May and is due to report back to the PM this autumn. Portas is leading the review.

Wendy Mitchell, head of policy and public affairs at the CRA, said that charity shops do not have a negative impact on the high street. “In fact, charity shops are often occupying premises that would otherwise be empty – so any cap on the number of charity shops is likely to increase the number of empty shop-fronts,” she said.

“The High Street Review should focus on the lack of consumer confidence, competition from out-of-town developments and ways to support small business through the downturn – not place the blame unfairly on charity shops.”

The CRA also released research which found that people chose to shop in charity shops because they felt charity shops are a good place to find bargains, have quality stock, have a range of goods and because they support the charity involved.