Rochdale’s Fairtrade shop relocates to Couzens salon

Fair for All, a shop selling only Fairtrade products, has re-located to Greg Couzens Hair Salon on The Walk.

The only dedicated Fairtrade outlet within the Rochdale borough, the shop moved from its previous location on The Walk due to needing better facilities that were also affordable.

When Mr Couzens heard that the volunteers who run the shop wanted to move, he offered his ground floor salon space, which they happily accepted.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/119469/fair-for-all-shop-opens-in-rochdale-town-centre

Fair for All moved in during lockdown and started trading on 4 July 2020, selling Fairtrade foods, beverages, and household cleaning products, as well as clothing, bracelets, candles, children’s toys and puzzles, keyrings, cards and planters and compost.

Each of these items are handmade in places such as Africa and India and aim to ‘fight poverty through Fairtrade’ by allowing people from developing countries to trade and receive an income. This helps them to improve their lives and also provides education for their children.

 

 

Monica Fowler, who started volunteer work with Fair for All in 2006 when Rochdale was named a Fairtrade Borough by the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We had been looking for some time for another shop, with more room and better facilities, to move into for about six months, but without success. Those which were available were either not the right size, too expensive or in the wrong place for us.

“Earlier in the year (before lockdown) Greg came into our previous shop and asked how we were getting on and we had a chat about trading, etc. Then he offered us his ground floor which was previously his reception area. The three of us - myself, Jan Hicks and Jenny Buckley - went in to have a look at what was on offer and made the decision that we would be very happy to move there.

“Consequently, as lockdown was imminent, we moved all our goods into his ground floor and set everything up during the week before we were allowed to re-open.

“We are very happy sharing the premises with Greg and it is working well. We are the only Fairtrade outlet in Rochdale and are happy to supply churches and charities with goods on a sale or return basis, putting on stalls and giving talks whenever asked.

“We welcome all customers, both old and new.”

Owner of the salon, Greg Couzens, said: “Fair for All is a wonderful business, I have tremendous respect for them. This addition is not just for my clients - I invite all to pop in and have a browse. I highly recommend the cookies and chocolates.”

Fair for All is a social enterprise staffed entirely by volunteers and is open every day from 9.30am - 4.30pm, except Sundays. The shop can be found on the ground floor of Greg Couzens Hair Salon, 5-7 The Walk, Rochdale, OL16 1EP.