Trade has been a fair success in Alva shop's first year

Jamie MacDonald • Published 30 Dec 2009 12:32 0 Comments

AN attempt to reach out and help thy neighbour is proving to be a great success for an Alva fair trade shop.

Number 140 started life as a stall at church fayres aiming to raise funds and help good causes at home and abroad.

Now, the group behind Number 140 is celebrating after completing its first full year as a shop, based at 140 West Stirling Street, and they have signed a lease to be there for at least another three.

One of the group told the Advertiser, "We started as a wee not for profit organisation and began running a weekly stall. We took up the lease to see how it would go and, so far, we have been very successful."

Fair trade products such as teas, coffees and chocolates along with scarves, bags, jewellery and crafts are popular with those keen to do some ethical shopping.

And in the run-up to Christmas, the shop proved to be popular for pressies that were a little bit different than the high street norm.

The shop assistant said, "I would urge people to come in and have a look.

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"We have a new range of bags from the Philippines made from recycled juice cartons which are proving popular and scarves from India. Shoppers can find things a wee bit out of the ordinary."

She added, "People also like to come in to have a tea or coffee for a donation. We have our regulars who are very keen to support fair trade, the drinks are served in china cups and people seem to like that wee bit of luxury."

All the staff in Number 140 are volunteers and all the profits they make will go to charity.

"This year I think people are maybe thinking a bit more about where things are coming from and our posters in the shop tell customers exactly where products are from," she said. "Things like the sugar in the cakes or the people that make the jewellery - you know exactly where your money is going.

"Our profit margins are very small but by doing fair trade we support people overseas and local charities."

Number 140 is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am-12.30pm and 2-4pm. On Saturdays the shop is open between 10am and 1pm.

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