Hello r/London, I thought you might like this London Centric investigation into Inside Success and the "fundraisers" standing outside London stations.
In particular, we spent ages trying to unpick the legal status of why Inside Success, WeRBlighty, etc, are able to stand outside stations when people selling goods for profit, or collecting for charity, cannot do so without a licence from either the local council or the police.
The conclusion was
1) Inside Success and WeRBlighty are exploiting a 1982 law designed to enable the easy sale of printed newspapers when that was the only way to distribute breaking news to commuters.
2) That it's up to councils, not the police, to enforce breaches of this particular law and many London councils we spoke didn't even realise it was their responsibility.
Happy to answer any further questions anyone has. More similar investigations coming up, including a major free one next week, so join the email list if you like it. Or don't if you don't!
by londoncentricmedia
10 comments
> didn’t even realise it was their responsibility
I am once again asking that we get rid of boroughs.
I thought it was very interesting. Thanks for the info on the 1982 law – I didn’t know that. I had been in touch with Islington Council who didn’t seem keen to thwart people from selling magazines (as it would interfere with people’s right to sell political leaflets apparently). Sounds reasonably commendable but there are often 9-11 members of staff from two or three different CICs, outside Farringdon, all flogging magazines or trying to extract money.
I keep coming across other CICs too and have started a small collection here [https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/1l0k936/train_station_chuggers_selling_magazines_or/](https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/1l0k936/train_station_chuggers_selling_magazines_or/)
One of Inside Success’ two currently active companies has not filed its accounts with Companies House. One of the two that are dissolved also didn’t file.
This is the size of the spot at Farringdon, about 35 x 15 metres.
https://preview.redd.it/vvviyc95uodf1.png?width=2180&format=png&auto=webp&s=ffd1bf444ab99803ccbd3181c71a6d8c03cae047
*Alt text: aerial map view of the old and new entrances to Farringdon Station on Cowcross Street. It’s not a big area but I’ve counted 11 CIC ‘chuggers’ on a handful of occasions, though they are not necessarily all from the same CIC.*
Jo
It looks like the City of London has prosecuted them for illegal street trading very recently ([press release](https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/we-r-blighty-pleads-guilty-of-illegal-street-trading-and-collections-in-the-city/)).
That might cause other boroughs to take note and follow suit.
The British Transport Police do kick them out of stations when seen. But unfortunately as soon as it is outside, can’t do much else unfortunately.
I had no idea what these people were called. I usually just power walk past the Black group, or they don’t approach me. And the white group don’t even bother full stop.
Blue shirts should be arrested on the spot
I saw them following a guy on crutches who was clearly trying to get to St Guys a while back. They love hanging around that entrance to London Bridge station.
I know they’re probably trying to con “rich” people coming in and out of the shard. But it feels kinda predatory since you’ve got patients going to St Guys and the London Bridge Hospital outpatients.
Put some “Palestine Action” stickers on their gear and the Police will be along soon enough.
Thanks London Centric, always interesting articles to read, proper journalism and investigation! Happy to be a subscriber
I thought they had gone for good around London Bridge; but Lo and Behold they were there right again today harassing people
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