Southwell set to reclaim Fairtrade Town status

A town is inching closer to regaining it’s Fairtrade status.

In March, Southwell Town Council agreed to explore the possibility of once again becoming a Fairtrade Town, and now with work being led by Jamie Bostock, is almost set to reclaim the title.

An update on the town’s progress was presented by Mr Bostock at the latest town environment committee meeting, on Wednesday, September 11.

He said: “The steps remaining to restore Fairtrade status aren’t that vast.

“The only thing remaining is to get a list of past Fairtrade events and planned Fairtrade events, to prove we’re taking it seriously and are concious of the effect Fairtrade has on how we operate as a town.

“We’ll soon be a Fairtrade town again.”

Recent progress has included appointing a member of a Fairtrade group in the town as a secondary contact for the scheme, and displaying the Fairtrade banner on the Burgage to mark Fairtrade fortnight.

The town first achieved Fairtrade status in 2006, but over the years the commitment has not been renewed — although a number of traders and eateries in the town continue to sell Fairtrade products.

The status requires the town to work on five action areas: boosting Fairtrade, connecting Fairtrade, Fairtrade changemakers, Fairtrade ambassadors and Fairtrade influencers.

It has a number of Fairtrade groups, some linked to churches, operating already.

The foundation works with farming co-operatives, businesses and governments to make trade fairer and help producers earn secure and sustainable livelihoods.

Councillors thanked Mr Bostock for his work on the project.