Winners of South West Fairtrade Business Awards 2014 announced!

The winners of the 2014 regional Fairtrade Business Awards, sponsored by The Co-operative, were announced yesterday at a ceremony at KoolSkools Winner FTBA 2014Bristol’s City Hall.

The Best Fairtrade Business in the South West 2014 is Koolskools. Judges praised the Fairtrade uniform provider based in Lyndhurst, hailing them ‘an incredible advocate for Fairtrade since it started, not only as a 100% Fairtrade provider, but also pioneering new products in the sector.’ The Awards were presented by ethical expert at The Observer and The Guardian, Lucy Siegle.

Other winners:

Best Fairtrade Acccommodation 2014 - Lee Abbey (Devon)

Best Fairtrade Food Outlet 2014 - Source Cafe @ The Hub (Bristol)

Best Fairtrade Office 2014, sponsored by Burges Salmon - Stewart Investment Planning (North Somerset)

Best Fairtrade Retailer (Multiple Products) 2014 - UWE Student Union Shop (South Gloucestershire)

Best Fairtrade Retailer (Single Product) 2014 - John Titcombe and Natural Beverages (joint winners) (Bristol)

Best Fairtrade University 2014 - University of Bristol (Bristol)

The ceremony was attended by 150 civic and business leaders. The Best Fairtrade Business in the South West 2014, Koolskools, said “We’re humbled and delighted to have won the Best Fairtrade Business in the South West Award. We had a fantastic and inspiring day at the Awards ceremony and will do all we can to support Fairtrade in the future”.

The photo shows Mike Trodd, Koolskools joint partner, receiving the Award from Lucy Siegle. Photo credit: Jon Craig
The aim of the Awards is to increase sales of and support for Fairtrade amongst local businesses, by promoting businesses that support Fairtrade and encouraging others to do more.