Borough council aims for Fairtrade status

Hyndburn borough council is urging local food retailers and caterers to get behind a plan to make the region a Fairtrade borough.

Local environmental charity Prospects Foundation is spearheading the concluding phase of a three-year campaign, which will be judged by the Fairtrade Foundation during Fairtrade fortnight later this month.

To meet the criteria, at least 17 retail outlets and nine catering outlets across the Lancashire borough must agree to sell or serve a minimum of two Fairtrade products.

So far, the charity has met support from major retailers such as Asda, the Co-op and Holland & Barrett, alongside local businesses the New Era Centre and the Sure Start Cafe.

The initiative follows the sustainability action plan established by Hyndburn Borough Council, which aimed to leave local people "equipped with more information" so they "can then make positive choices about purchasing fair trade goods and making ethical investments".

The Prospects Foundation became a registered charity in July 1999 and was awarded a £258,000 National Lottery grant in 2002, in order to implement a community development programme.