Hull is celebrating its 20th year as a Fairtrade City and to mark the milestone, Fairtrade City signs have been erected across the city.
Installed alongside 11 ‘Welcome to Hull’ city boundary signs, it informs visitors that Hull is a proud Fairtrade City.
The first sign was placed at the boundary on Main Road in Bilton and members of Hull Fairtrade Partnership, including its chair Cllr Julia Conner and Hull City Council’s Fairtrade Lead Sharon Clay, gathered to mark the occasion.
All Fairtrade City signs are being installed by KWL this week and the other 10 will appear on Priory Way, Hessle Road, Boothferry Road, Anlaby Road, Priory Road, Bricknell Avenue, Endike Lane, Raich Carter Way, Wawne Road and Ganstead Lane.
This summer, a city centre flower bed will proudly display the Fairtrade logo.
Throughout 2025, in addition to the regular campaigns and events held to promote the Fairtrade message and ethos of social justice that fair, ethical and sustainable trade brings, Hull Fairtrade Partnership will host new initiatives to mark the 20-year milestone.
This will include celebrating World Fairtrade Day, which this year falls on Saturday 10 May.
Cllr Conner, portfolio holder for youth services and third sector at the council and chair of Hull Fairtrade Partnership, said: “Hull has shown ongoing support for Fairtrade for 20 years, challenging unfair trade practices and making a stand for decent workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally.
“My thanks go to members of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership and to many others who have supported our local Fairtrade campaigns.
“Maintaining Fairtrade City status for 20 years is something we can have collective pride in Hull and I look forward to this year’s Fairtrade events and continuing to raise awareness of this important issue.”
Hull Fairtrade Partnership is a multi-sector organisation supported by the council’s economic development and regeneration team and features fairtrade activists, voluntary and community organisations such as The Deep, Hull Food Partnership and Groundwork Hull, University of Hull Student Union and local Fairtrade businesses.
Katy Duke, chief executive officer at The Deep, said: “As a proud member of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership, The Deep is pleased to support the installation of the new Fairtrade City boundary signs.
“For Hull to reach its 20th year as a Fairtrade City is a significant achievement, representing our unified commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable, ethical trade.”
For more information on Fairtrade movement, including resources for campaigns and activities, visit Home – Fairtrade Foundation.
