// Burberry donates over 100,000 pieces of PPE to the NHS made in its Yorkshire trench coat factory
// Burberry also says it will pay employees unable to work due to the lockdown, without government help
// Senior bosses also announced they would take a 20% pay cut from April to June
Burberry said it has donated more than 100,000 pieces of PPE after transforming its Yorkshire trench coat factory to produce protective equipment for hospital staff.
The luxury fashion retailer said its Castleford factory was manufacturing non-surgical gowns and supplying them to the NHS.
It also said it would maintain its base pay for employees who have been unable to work due to store closures amid the lockdown.
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“We will not rely on government support for jobs in the UK, where more than a third of our employees are based,” the heritage fashion brand said.
Meanwhile, senior bosses announced they would take a 20 per cent pay cut from April to June.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, our priority has been the safety and wellbeing of our employees, our customers and our communities,” Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti said.
“While we continue to take mitigating actions to contain our costs and protect our financial position, we are also committed to safeguarding jobs and supporting the relief efforts during this global health emergency.
“I would like to thank our teams for their continued determination and resilience as we continue Thomas Burberry’s legacy of protecting others and caring for the community.”
In an update circulated today, Burberry confirmed it would delay its annual results announcement next month to May 22.
Separately, rival fashion retailer Mulberry said it has switched its handbag factory in Somerset to making 8000 gowns for NHS workers in Bristol.
with PA Wires
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