South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 07/03/2014

Commonwealth Cottage in Latteridge, near Iron Acton, won a silver award in the Best Fairtrade Accommodation category, an improvement on the bronze award they received last year.

In the Best Fairtrade Food Outlet category The Swan in Thornbury won a bronze award and Full of Beans Coffee Cart at the University of the West of England (UWE) won a gold award for the second year running.

In the Best Fairtrade Retailer (multiple products) UWE Student’s Union Shop won the overall category award.

UWE also won a gold award in the Best Fairtrade University or College category.

Denise Smith, owner of Commonwealth Cottage, said: “I was thrilled, I thought I would get a bronze award again, but this has given me inspiration to go for gold next year.”

Vicki Harris, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at UWE, said: “Every year UWE does more to support producers across the world and winning these awards gives us a real boost: it is great to see staff and students receiving recognition for their commitment and hard work.”

Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Ian Boulton attended the awards. He said: “Congratulations to all of the local businesses who received awards. These innovative businesses demonstrate that you can be very successful whilst being ethical at the same time. South Gloucestershire Council is proud to be involved with Fairtrade Fortnight and is committed to supporting Fairtrade and helping to protect the livelihoods farmers and workers in the developing world.”

Fairtrade coffee producer Margarita Espinoza from Nicaragua was a special guest at the event, along with Lucy Siegle, ethical expert at The Observer and The Guardian, who presented the awards.

The annual awards celebrate businesses across the south west that support and promote Fairtrade. Their aim is to increase sales of and support for Fairtrade amongst local businesses, by promoting businesses that support Fairtrade and encouraging others to do more. Businesses can win a bronze, silver or gold level award in their category and then there is a winner in each category, as well as an overall winner of Best Fairtrade Business 2014.