Justicia – a shop with all Fairtrade products – is in the United Reformed Church of St Andrew and St George.
It is packed with guilt-free trinkets, handmade bags, ceramics, toys, snacks and even detergent.
The goods are Fairtrade certified – giving farmers and workers a chance to set a fair minimum price in an often unstable and unfair global market.
And a “Fairtrade premium” is added to the price to finance community or business projects the workers choose.
Even though Bolton has been a Fairtrade town since over 20 years, Justicia led the way almost 40 years ago.
In 1985, a group of people opened the not-for-profit store with a little capital backing from churches.
They named it the Christian Traidshop.
Martin Roe, 71, a Justicia board member, was inspired to join after his time in Africa.
He said: “My wife and I had moved to Nigeria as young teachers, where we lived and worked for two years.
“Our time there left a lasting impression of global inequality.
“There were excellent artisans there who had no opportunity to sell their wares outside their villages never mind in the UK.
“We knew young boys who worked as servants in hopes of earning enough to go to school.
“When I came back to the UK, I became aware of the Fairtrade movement.
“I found students wanted to help – they would often sell fair trade goods at school fairs.
“That is how I first became involved with Justicia.”
In its first three years, the store thrived as The Christian Traidshop and moved to its current location on Knowsley Street.
In 1995, it was renamed Justicia, the Spanish word for justice.
Martin said: “Its purpose has always been to support farmers in the developing world by giving them a fair price for work they do.
“And give artisans a shop window for their goods.
“Producers in the developing world often get badly paid.
“Many cocoa growers can’t afford basic food or to send their children to school.
“And don’t have access to clean water, medical care or electricity.
“Fair trade helps by giving a better price for their goods but also an additional premium to be spent on community projects.
“This may be used to build a medical centre, provide clean water or other needs.
“We don’t think other people should suffer so that we can get slightly cheaper chocolate.”
Aruni Gunapala, a shop volunteer, started at Justicia after she met Martin at the University of Bolton volunteer fair.
She said: “He invited me to take a look at the store.
“It was something new. I honestly had no idea the shop existed.
“I felt like they were doing a really good thing.”
A Smithills school proved also proved its commitment on Fairtrade Fortnight – which was created to raise awareness of the cause and lasts from September 9 to 22.
St Peter’s CE Smithills Dean Primary School students invited Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, to sign a “Be the Change” pledge, a promise to work with ethical campaigners.
And to judge their Fairtrade competition.
Matt Harding, the school’s headteacher, said: “St Peter’s has achieved two awards over the last few years for our championing of this cause.
“This year marks 30 years of Fairtrade products hitting our shelves.
“The September campaign asked us all to look for the Fairtrade symbol when deciding what to buy.”
Mr Brickell said: “It was a pleasure to be shown around St Peter’s CofE primary school in Smithills.
“The children had worked hard to inform each other of products can be switched to Fairtrade easily so that people are being paid a fair wage.
“The unenviable task of judging, which decorated door was the best, was left to me. It was difficult!
“I’m very pleased to support the Be the Change pledge.
“Bolton was one of the first Fairtrade towns and has been one since 2003.
“Simple changes such as swapping to Fairtrade bananas or chocolate can improve other people’s live immensely.”
For more information, visit https://justicia-bolton.square.site/