A multi-national firm enjoying business rates relief by renting a prime city centre spot to a charity has been urged to cough up more than £250,000 after it emerged the tenant has used the shop just six times in a year.

Without the discount for leasing the site in Canterbury to Computers 4 Africa, landlords DSG Retail Ltd would have been expected to pay £268,000 in rates since August 2016.

But instead it has stumped up just £222.19, sparking a plea from city council chiefs to government ministers to close what it calls a "legal loophole".

In the past 12 months, Computers 4 Africa - a charity which sends donated computers to a number of projects across the continent - has rarely used the former Currys PC World store in Iron Bar Lane.

As a result, the council's deputy chief executive Tricia Marshall is calling on directors of DSG Retail to dig into their pockets.

She said: “We are calling on the directors of DSG to examine their collective conscience and cough up.

“If helping Computers 4 Africa is not just a clever wheeze, the cheque will arrive at our offices and we can use our part of that cash to fund vital services at a time when our budgets are being squeezed.

“If it helps, we would be more than willing for Computers 4 Africa to use our premises for free for people to drop off computers etc. In fact, those making a donation can park for free at our offices in Military Road.

“On top of all that, the former store is now looking like a complete eyesore in a historic part of the city that attracts tourists from all over the world.

“We would be more than happy to work with DSG to put up window displays promoting the attractions the city has to offer with the help of the Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District (BID).”

DSG Retail spokesman Amy Shields has defended the firm's actions.

She said: “We have worked with our landlord and Canterbury City Council to find a new occupant for the Burgate site, including introducing a number of potential restaurant occupiers. These proposals fell through when the council would not support a change of use to restaurant and leisure. This is despite the location being more suited to leisure than retail uses.

“Using vacant property to support charities such as this is entirely consistent with the 'Meanwhile Use' occupation envisaged and enacted in the Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007, which encourages the temporary occupation of empty town centre retail premises by non-commercial occupiers.

"We are working with the charity Digital Pipeline, which trades as Computers 4 Africa, while we continue to look for a new tenant before our lease on the premises expires next year.

"As such, there is no legal loophole as the Council is claiming - Dixons Carphone fully supports the people of Canterbury with four trading shops employing 87 people and contributing over £236,000 in business rates annually.

“We would ask the council to reconsider its position regarding a change of use so the property can once again be occupied to the benefit of the local community.”