The Fairtrade accolade is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation when a town can demonstrate that it has met specified goals which include; the town council has to pass a resolution in support, and a percentage of retail and catering outlets and other businesses must show their commitment by offering fairly traded goods to their customers and/or employees.
The report received from the Fairtrade Foundation to the Fairtrade steering group stated that Weston put in one of the strongest applications they have seen.
Weston shoppers will soon be able to choose to give their custom to those businesses displaying the Fairtrade Foundation logo in their windows as well as on the goods.
The Fairtrade mark on products in shops guarantees that the producers in some of the poorest countries of the world receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow, as well as additional income to invest in community development projects such as clean water, schools and basic health clinics.
We need to re-apply in a year, then again in another three years to show we have made more progress with businesses joining across the town.
Cllr Pete McAleer from the steering group said: “I am so pleased that after 18 months Weston has been able to achieve this prestigious award. It recognises the importance of ethical shopping and shows that our town is a compassionate and outward-looking community. Thank you to all members of the Steering Group”