London is world’s biggest Fairtrade city

London has been awarded the status of the world’s biggest fairtrade city after over a thousand businesses in the capital agreed to sell fairly traded goods.

It is the 400th of the UK’s towns and cities to be awarded the status, which demonstrates an area’s commitment to promote and provide fair trade products.

Close to 1,000 retailers and 600 cafes and restaurants now sell product ranges that carry the fair trade mark.

Businesses and organisations taking part in the scheme include museums, theatres, the Houses of Parliament, London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police and the Bank of England.

A number of schools, universities and churches have also given their backing to the campaign.

The Fairtrade London Steering Committee believes that the accolade makes London the world’s Fairtrade capital.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said the award was good news and added that Londoners’ commitment to fairtrade will have a significant impact on the lives of farmers in the developing world.