History of the FIG Tree

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Where it all began

The FIG Tree was the world’s first international Fair Trade Visitor Centre, originally opened in 2011 in Garstang (the world’s first Fair Trade Town) but then relocating to Lancaster. The people of Garstang voted for their unique status at a public meeting in April 2000 and since then over 2,000 Fair Trade Towns in over 30 countries worldwide, including London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Brussels, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Seoul, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Vancouver and Wellington in New Zealand have all followed in Garstang’s footsteps.

After having to relocate from Garstang in 2015, The FIG Tree moved to St. John’s Church in historic Lancaster but following severe flood damage in December the same year was again forced to move out.

The FIG Tree became a cooperative in 2017 to enable our supporters to become members. Although no longer running a cafe The FIG Tree, now located in Lower Dolphinholme continues to produce and sell bean to bar chocolate, run workshops and support Fair Trade and the International Fair Trade Towns movement. The FIG Tree centre also houses our Fair Trade/slave trade exhibition. We welcome visitors, but by appointment only. For details on how to become a member click here.


Continuing the success built up in Garstang, The FIG Tree provides

–   A Fair Trade Exhibition focusing on fair trade and trade injustice by exploring the four themes:

  • Fair Trade and Fair Trade Towns
  • The British Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition
  • Quaker Heritage in ‘1652 country’
  • Chocolate – everybody’s favourite Fair Trade treat

Please contact us if you would like to display and/or use the exhibition

– Unique Bean To Bar chocolate made from beans sourced from the Fairtrade cooperative Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana.

– An Educational Programme including our innovative and unique interactive chocolate making events and workshops focusing on local heritage.

“On The Fair Trade Way” – a long distance Fair Trade Heritage Walk


The FIG Tree also offers:

– Advice, support and information on the International Fair Trade Towns movement
– The opportunity to become a member of The FIG Tree
– We are always keen to adapt our workshops to meet your requirements so please contact us to find out what we can do for you.

Join the FIG Tree as a member