A launch on Friday will see Blackpool Council’s Solaris Centre go Fairtrade to coincide with World Development Information Day.

Working with Blackpool Action Force (BAF) the council has taken its first steps to making Blackpool a Fairtrade Town.

By looking at the circumstances that stop trade being ‘fair’, the BAF are helping the council to turn this around and offer options that can help achieve Fairtrade Town status.

The Solaris Centre is widely know as an environmentally friendly building, incorporating wind turbines, solar roof panels alongside the latest insulation and energy conservation technologies – meaning it’s the perfect place for the council to introduce Fairtrade products.

Fairtrade products are more than just coffee, they can often be organic and allow the producers in the developing world to work, feed and educate themselves out of poverty.

The BAF loan Fairtrade products to organisations so that they can set up an initial trial and gauge the need for Fairtrade products in their area without any added cost to the company.

Councillor Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration, said: “The Solaris Centre as it is an important centre for environmental action and it is the perfect place for Blackpool to start its journey to becoming a Fairtrade Town.

“I know a lot of people are keen to purchase Fairtrade products and I am delighted that we are able to offer that service in one of our council buildings”.