The first South West Fairtrade Business Awards have been launched and are now open for submissions from businesses from across the region with a commitment to ethical trading.
The awards – which aim to increase sales of, and support for, Fairtrade goods among South West businesses – follow the inaugural Bristol Fairtrade Business Awards held earlier this year.
By showcasing companies and commercial organisations that have an ethical and sustainable approach to business by buying Fairtrade products – as the Bristol awards successfully did – other firms are encouraged to take a similar stance.
Bristol and Southwest Fairtrade co-ordinator Jenny Foster said: “Increasing sales of Fairtrade products enables more small producers in the developing world to make a sustainable living.
“The Fairtrade Business Awards demonstrate how a growing range of businesses in the region aim to be ethical and fair.”
Following the addition of extra categories this year, the awards now include:
- Best Fairtrade Office
- Best Fairtrade Retailer
- Best Fairtrade Food Outlet
- Best Fairtrade Accommodation
- Best Fairtrade Suppliers
- Best overall Fairtrade Business
A spokesman for John Titcombe, the Clifton and Cirencester jewellers that won gold this year in the Bristol awards, said: “Winning the award was a great honour for us, and we will be aiming as high in next year’s awards.
“Our range of Fairtrade jewellery is going from strength to strength and with great interest from our customers we are pushing our range further. Everyone from John Titcombe is very proud to receive this award, and it has pride of place in our store next to the display cabinet with our Fairtrade gold products.”
‘As a result of taking part in the Awards, we have reviewed our purchasing process and added all available Fairtrade products’
The awards ceremony will be held at the Colston Hall on March 8 and will be the major event in the South West for Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 25 to March 10.
The awards are free to enter. Businesses can enter online www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk
