Mayor Of York And North Yorkshire Funds Harrogate Fair Trade To Create Collaborative Ethical Shop In The Heart Of Harrogate
Harrogate Fair Trade and partners have secured £149,633 from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund to create a new collaborative ethical shop in Harrogate town centre, with a strong sustainability and community ethos and a destination for ethical shopping.
The funding will support a move into larger town centre premises, offering an expanded range of carefully curated fair trade gifts, accessories, and toys, a range of organic and ethical foods and a refill and plastic-free station. Creating a flexible pop-up area will provide a selling, display and participation space for local artisans, charities and ethical businesses and a programme of talks, workshops and awareness-raising events will be hosted with partners. Placements for people with autism and learning difficulties will be a key part of the collaboration.
The move marks a significant step forward from the charity’s long-standing, popular shop in the old porch at St Peter’s Church on the High Street, where it has built a loyal following over many years, into a space that allows the charity to grow and reach more people.
Developed through a local partnership led by Harrogate Fair Trade, the initiative brings together Zero Carbon Harrogate, Harrogate Skills for Living, Black & Green Consulting and the Co-operative Group in Harrogate. The partnership builds on longstanding relationships and will help shape a space that brings the principles of Fair Trade, sustainability and inclusivity into the heart of the community.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said:
"Our high streets are where our communities come together. That’s why I’m backing creative ideas from the people who know their area best with my High Streets Fund.
By supporting Harrogate Fairtrade, we support a collaborative ethical shop that includes a refill centre, pop-up space, workshops, charity awareness activities, and supported training opportunities for people with learning difficulties and autism.
This is one of 65 projects we’ve supported across York and North Yorkshire helping to transform our high streets into vibrant destinations that residents and visitors will want to return to again and again.”
Gillian Parkin of Harrogate Fair Trade said:
“This funding is a major step forward for Harrogate Fair Trade and for the producers we support around the world.
A new space will allow us to share their stories more widely, while creating a place where people can shop ethically, learn, develop and feel part of the community. We are deeply grateful for this support and for the strength of the partnerships helping to make it possible.”
The project brings together partners with complementary expertise, each playing a distinct role in shaping the space.
Zero Carbon Harrogate connects global challenges to local action, delivering decarbonisation and climate adaptation activities including events, workshops, and practical support for residents and businesses.
Harrogate Skills for Living will expand their programme of supported placements for Internships and Personal Learning college students, helping to build confidence, skills and pathways into employment, while also supporting employers to develop more inclusive workplaces.
Black & Green Consulting provides expertise in green accounting to help organisations operate in ways that are both financially resilient and environmentally responsible.
The Cooperative group in Harrogate will strengthen connections with local charities and community partners, supporting events and activities that bring together fair trade, environmental sustainability and community engagement across Harrogate.
With a Fair Trade presence in Harrogate spanning 37 years, the organisation sees this as a natural next step, evolving its offer while staying rooted in fairness, partnership and global responsibility - putting people before profit.
