The boss of a north-east charity cast doubts over its future last night, after it emerged Aberdeenshire Council is withdrawing support for its shops.
The New Arc, which has shops in Banff, Ellon and Peterhead,
But the local authority is scrapping discretionary awards of 20% to charity’s business rates – which New Arc’s co-founder Keith Marley last night branded “ill-considered”.
Mr Marley said the loss could impact operations so much that it may be necessary to make cuts and have animals that would otherwise die without help turned away.
The centre is based from its animal rescue sanctuary in Auchnagatt and is self-sufficient, receiving no money from either the council or the Scottish Government.
The change by the local authority was approved last year and could generate an additional £33,650 in income for the council – £2,524 of which would be from the New Arc.
Mr Marley said it will have a “huge knock-on effect” for the group, and admitted the Peterhead shop was “struggling” already.
“We have not got any support for the council, we don’t get any from the government. We are completely self-sufficient.
“The only thing we have got is this 20% from the shops and that is now gone.
“It is £2,524 – that makes a significant difference to a small charity like ourselves.
“Every penny we use is put to animal care and we have got to make cuts somewhere. There is only one result – animals welfare will be affected, animals will die.”
Last night, a spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said the change was brought in because of the competition charity shops were now providing to retailers on town high streets.
“Previously, charity shops run by registered charitable organisations received the 80% mandatory relief and an additional 20% discretionary relief,” he added.
“In recent years there has been an increase in the number of charity shops on the high street which include an element of trading in competition with other retail traders.”
Mr Marley has now written a letter to all members of the policy and resources committee which approved the change, urging them to reconsider.
