For the past 31 years Jenny Medhurst has organised a Traidcraft shop in Middlesbrough over the Christmas period – a piece of work that we’ve supported from our synod, not least though start-up loans to provide stock.

Sadly, Jenny has to tell us that this year she has been unable to find shop premises. She writes

“I’ve trawled Middlesbrough and all the empty shops either

• say that they will be trading by Christmas
• are on two floors with no disabled/buggy access to the upper floor
• have been gutted or  ready for a long term tenant or would need major work and so aren’t suitable for a short term let
• belong to a large landlord who, incredibly, doesn’t see letting them as a priority.

“This week I  looked in Stockton and Darlington but reluctantly decided that moving the shop to a totally new town would be difficult for my customers and my helpers, and so risky financially.

“Over the 31 yrs we’ve had a Christmas shop getting premises has almost always been a struggle but we’ve succeeded. I’m so sorry that this year we’ve failed.”

Jenny reminds us that the nearest permanent Fair Trade shops are –

Fairer World, 84,Gillygate, York,
Spurriergate Centre, York
Gateway World Crafts, St Nicholas’ Church, Market Place, Durham
One World Shop, Haymarket, Newcastle

or you look online – www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

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