Carlisle’s shops and businesses receive award

(Date of issue: Wednesday 21 January 2009)

Carlisle’s shops, cafes, restaurants and guesthouses and many more organisations and groups will be officially recognised for their support to Fairtrade, next week.

At a celebration event, on Monday 26 January, the Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Jacquelyne Geddes, will present official certificates, to representatives of 30 organisations, as an official endorsement of their contribution to Carlisle’s status as a Fairtrade City.

This status is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation who set rigorous criteria for achieving this status. The criteria includes:

• A resolution from the local council to support Fairtrade.
• A range of products, at least two, are readily available in the area’s shops and are served in local cafes/catering establishments.
• Fairtrade products are used by an appropriate number of local work places (offices, shops, B&Bs) and community organisations (faith communities, schools and universities).
• Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.
• A local Fairtrade Steering Group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Status.

Councillor Jacquelyne Geddes, The Mayor of Carlisle and Carlisle City Council’s Fairtrade Champion, said:

"I am delighted that Carlisle continues to be recognised by the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade City and we have maintained this status since 2005. This recognition is very much due to the amazing support by more than 140 Carlisle shops, cafes and businesses that are proud to serve, sell and supply Fairtrade products.

"I am passionate about Fairtrade and the success in Carlisle is down to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved and we plan to build on this commitment and to continue to make an impact globally."

The event will also launch the Carlisle Fairtrade City Directory which explains what it means to buy and supply Fairtrade, to the workers and their families, in providing the necessities which are taken for granted such as shelter, education and health support.

The directory also has a comprehensive list of organisations from small independent retailers to national high street companies, all showing a commitment to Fairtrade and a different way of trading and shopping.

To encourage more businesses and companies to become more committed to Fairtrade, Carlisle will be hosting Cumbria’s first ever Fairtrade Business Conference on Friday 27 February 2009. The conference’s keynote speaker will be the Fairtrade Foundation’s Patron, George Alagiah and presenter of BBC News and BBC World.