A NEW shop selling only Fair Trade products is to open in the former home of a sweet shop next week.

Elysium, in Bootham Bar, will be managed by Shared Earth York, who have pioneered the sale of the items and produce, which promote better pay conditions for farmers, since the 1980s.

Shared Earth opened its first shop in Goodramgate 30 years ago its latest store will stock products only made by artisans in countries like India, Thailand, Peru and Madagascar, but a few Yorkshire products will also be on sale.

Jeremy Piercy, the founder of Shared Earth, said: “I believe in the words of Mahatma Gandhi when he said ‘you must be a part of change you want to see in the world’, by creating sustainable work opportunities we are contributing to the peace and happiness of artisans trying to support their families.”

York Press:

Mr Piercy was inspired to set up Shared Earth after witnessing poverty.

He decided to combat it by improving the livelihoods of disadvantaged people in developing countries, helping community projects and keeping alive traditional skills through Fair Trade.