I’ve been in Northern Ireland this past week and I was pleased to find a fair trade shop in the Spires shopping centre in Belfast. There aren’t many fair trade shops, and those I know are tucked away inside charity shops and churches or seem to be open once a month for two hours. To find one in a shopping centre is quite unusual and I thought I’d give them a shout here. Their site is www.fairtrade-inspires.org.uk and if you’re in Belfast, pop in and say hello. They stock the usual chocolate and coffee of course, but also jewellery, accessories and clothing, and they’re very friendly too.
Just one thing – why is all ethical clothing still aimed at the hippy / new age market? With the exception of People Tree‘s stuff, there was nothing in Inspires that I’d be able to wear into the office. I really think the fairtrade movement needs to shake that image if there’s to be any mainstream acceptance of its principles. Come on guys, let’s make stuff normal people can wear.
Anyway, check out the British Association for Fairtrade Shops to see if there’s one near you.
The Earthbound Report 
Just an update on fairtrade inspires- shop in Belfast. Many people do not know that we are an awareness centre and that the products we sell are there to show people that you can buy anything fairly traded and know that people have been paid a fair price. We do a lot of speaking engagements and during fairtrade fortnight-23 Feb to 8 march fairtrade inspires are holding quite a few events;
1.Shrove Tues, in conjunction with the Spires Resturant, free pancake will be given with teaor coffee. ( conditions apply)
2.At Townsend Presbytrian Church, we are having an information and awareness evening with a banana producer from the Carribeans, folk singer/song writer Antony Glackin and Danna an Africian drummer will be part of the evenings entertainment.
3.Coffee and tea tastings will be part of the fortnights awareness
We have also opened a fairtrade kids shop in the Spires Shopping Mall, provide a sale or return for anyone wanting to hold events at home, in the church, or in schools or universities and a newer venture is encouraging business, hotels, schools, churches to use fair trade in the work place.
If you can place any or all of this information on your web pages I would be delighted.
Thanks for the review that you gave us in Sept 2007. I hope if you came back and visited us you would find a more professional business. We are still run mainly by volunteers but we are learning the skills of being business people who want a fairer world and believe that trading fairly is the way forward.
Wilma Hazlett
Thanks for the update Wilma, and it’s good to hear how Inspires is going from strength to strength.
Hello, I currently work at fairtrade-in-spires, we’ve recently started up a facebook and would really appreciate your support! If you have a facebook page, search for Fairtrade Inspires, Belfast and we should come up!
thanks once again!
kindest regards, Michael
Just to let everyone know, our website is very near completion. We aim to have our webshop open officially on Saturday 8th May, 2010. Come and check us out. Also the web address in this article is outdated. Our new address is fairtradeinspires.co.uk.
Just to let everyone know, our website is very near completion. We aim to have our webshop open officially on Saturday 8th May, 2010. Come and check us out. Also the web address in this article is outdated. Our new address is fairtradeinspires.co.uk.
Thanks Thomas, I’ve updated the post as well. Good luck with the online venture.