Burgess Hill became a Fairtrade Town in 2006 and the role of the steering group is to maintain the town's fairtrade status and to promote awareness of Fairtrade within the town. We campaign to increase the take up of Fairtrade products by businesses, retailers, organisations and individuals. A major focus of our work is based around national Fairtrade Fortnight where we run a festival in the town.

Being a Fairtrade town improves the image of Burgess Hill as a community. We help to broaden awareness of the needs of fair trading amongst communities and in so doing give Burgess Hill an international perspective. Fairtrade is a national charity and Burgess Hill is one of 510 Fairtrade towns which encourages local residents to switch to Fairtrade products whenever they can. Our unique festival generates considerable publicity and enhances the town's cultural profile.

Substantial community involvement through the Fairtrade Festival. Fairtrade gives the town something to coalesce around. Everytime someone changes their shopping habits and chooses Fairtrade they directly help producers and farmers in developing countries. Fairtrade build sustainable communites.