the windmill
headington fairtrade co-operative
promoting fair and just trade
Shop now open!
The Windmill Shop is now open, with a visit from the Bishop of Oxford, and the official opening by Cllr Mary Clarkson, Lord Mayor of Oxford.
» see photos
The Windmill Shop: 104 London Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 9AJ
Open: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm

the co-operative

The venture has the support of many of the local churches in Headington, and of senior local figures such as the Bishop of Oxford and city councillors for the Headington & Marston wards.

Vision and Aims


Structure of HFC (trading as 'Headington Fairtrade').

Headington Fairtrade Co-operative Limited is established as an Industrial and Provident Society (Registration Number 30543R) and is organised as a community co-operative. HFC is a member of Co-operatives UK, the national 'umbrella' organisation for co-operatives of all kinds.

Profits

Headington Fairtrade Co-operative Limited is constituted as a business, not as a charity, and as such we need to make a profit to be viable. It is only by trading profitably that we can continue to make a difference to people in the developing world, and promote the idea that fair trading should and could become 'the norm' rather than the exception.

However, trading to cover costs is very different from trading for gain. In the early stages of the enterprise, much of the profit from sales will be needed to cover expenses (rent, rates etc). Further profit will be ploughed back into increasing stock levels, and improving or expanding the business. If at a later date profits surplus to the company's requirements are engendered, this will be reinvested in the fairtrade system through distribution to related charities (eg Traidcraft Exchange).