COUNCILLORS have agreed Crewe seeks status as a Fairtrade Town.

Fairtrade Towns - of which there are over 600 in the UK - follow practices to raise awareness of Fairtrade products for sale in the local area.

They ensure at least two Fairtrade products are available in local retail and catering outlets and that workplaces use the products where possible, while events are held to promote the concept.

Participating towns agree to sign up with the Fairtrade Foundation for a two-year period, becoming Fairtrade communities which support producers and farmers and workers in developing countries to help them get "fairer" prices for their produce.

However, there are some claims that Fairtrade products are more expensive than common supermarket brands and those issues were raised at last night's Crewe Town Council community plan committee.

Cllr Jill Rhodes doubted whether Fairtrade principles would fit into a local economy where many people have to budget with low wages.

"In my experience Fairtrade products are more expensive generally. With average incomes of £18,000 in Crewe compared to £33,000 in the rest of Cheshire East now does this fit in with residents here?

"I think there are other initiatives such as Dementia Friendly communities that would be more appropriate to this town," she said.

The move would see the council adopt Fairtrade principles in its polices, while the authority would spend a small sum, around £1,000, on the project.

Town Council Clerk Peter Turner said acquiring Fairtrade status was a statement of intent for supporting such products rather than cheaper, lower-quality products, but there would be "no obligation for anyone to buy into it".

"As a small council we can't give a massive resource to it, but we can give time and knowledge as well as information to groups who want to progress projects like Fairtrade or Dementia Friendly (communities)," he said.

Cllr Lena Hogben said the idea was worth considering as she had been impressed by a visit to Garstang, which declared itself as the first Fairtrade Town in the world 21 years ago.

The committee voted to support Crewe becoming a Fairtrade Town, with two members voting against.

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