• History of The Fair Trade Shop

The Southampton Fair Trade Shop really began in 1997 when Anne and John Newton, who had been involved with fair trade for many years, opened a Short Let Christmas Fair Trade Shop in Swaything. This continued each Advent for 7 years - moving to Shirley in 2000 when Clem and Elaine Mason came on board following John's illness. Each year the business, customer base and interest grew and customers requested that the shop be permanent. So before closing in 2003 we decided that before Christmas 2004 we would have taken steps to ensure this. In August 2004 Anne, Clem and Elaine set up a company limited by guarantee. They found a suitable premises in Shirley High Street and with God's grace, a wonderful band of enthusiastic volunteers and support from local churches, we opened The Fair Trade Shop (Southampton) Ltd on Oct 4th 2004.

Here are a couple of photos of our shop on Shirley High Street, Southampton.