‘A very useful, positive and constructive meeting’ was the verdict of Joe Broussard, chair of North Ayrshire Fair Trade Group after he and several other members had met with the manager of the Sainsbury’s store in Irvine this week.

Recognising that Sainsbury’s has been strongly supportive of the fair trade movement for many years, the group had requested the meeting to express the concerns of local fair trade supporters who regularly shop there.

These concerns relate to Sainsbury’s recent launch of a pilot scheme introducing a new ‘fairly traded’ project of its own.

The group enjoyed a ‘fairtrade cuppa’ while they discussed their concerns with the manager, who showed them a short video and also undertook to seek answers for the group.