Liz Earle MBE to host South West Fairtrade Business Awards 2016

The South West Fairtrade Business Awards are open for applications to all businesses in the south west region until 31st January.

The Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 11th March 11.30am-2pm at the At-Bristol Science Centre. Their host is ethical beauty and wellbeing guru, Liz Earle MBE, who has recently launched a range of Fairtrade Gold jewellery in association with Cred Jewellery.

The Fairtrade Brunch and business to business Networking at the Ceremony is sponsored by charity Shared Interest Foundation, which supports fair trade businesses in developing countries.

Now in their fourth year, the Awards reward businesses that demonstrate commitment to using and promoting Fairtrade. They are free to enter and declare a fair and ethical business ethos for all businesses that meet the criteria, who are rewarded with an e-logo, certificate and seats at the Awards ceremony. Winners of each category receive a unique trophy designed by Bristol Blue Glass.

Winning a Fairtrade Business Award identifies your business as Fair and Ethical and is a great motivator to staff and customers. In 2015, 76 businesses in the region achieved bronze, silver and gold Awards.

There are 7 categories:

• Best Fairtrade Office
• Best Fairtrade Retailer –single product
• Best Fairtrade Retailer – multiple products
• Best Fairtrade Café or Restaurant
• Best Fairtrade Accommodation or Conference Centre, sponsored by Sawdays
• Best Fairtrade University or College
• Best Fairtrade Advocate Award, sponsored by SWTUC

The best Fairtrade Business 2016 is selected from the winners of these categories.

Winner of the 2015 Best Fairtrade Café or Restaurant Award, Café Create, said “We have really enjoyed taking part in the Fairtrade Awards and working towards the criteria to achieve firstly the Silver Award and then the Best in our category in 2015. It was a very proud moment receiving this honour. We display our Bristol Blue Glass trophy on our counter, which is a great talking point with customers, enhancing our reputation and spreading the word about Fairtrade  at the same time. We would encourage all businesses to take part”.