A FAIRTRADE coffee shop in Wotton-under-Edge recently achieved a gold award at the South West Fairtrade Business Awards. 

The Ark Coffee Shop in Long Street Wotton were presented with an award at a ceremony held in Bristol Cathedral on Friday, March 10 as part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

The coffee shop has been running in Wotton for nearly 22 years and is almost entirely staffed by volunteers, mainly from nearby churches.

David Barter, chairman of the Ark Committee, accepted the award alongside his wife Margaret.

He said: “We have received silver awards in the past and were chuffed to get gold this time.

"We're only a little cafe, so this is quite an achievement."

He spoke about the benefits of choosing fairtrade produce, which guarantees that farmers are paid fairly and have better working conditions.

“We’re proud to promote fairtrade goods, which guarantees fair prices for the people who grow and pick our produce.

"Although fairtrade items can be a bit more expensive, as a first-world country we have a duty to buy products that are ethically sourced."

As well as serving fairtrade refreshments along, the Ark cafe provides a play area for small children and sells fairtrade goods.