British fashion brand Barbour has turned over its production line to making protective gowns for frontline healthcare workers battling the coronavirus outbreak, reviving memories of its patriotic efforts in both world wars.
Many of Britain’s healthcare workers have complained there is not enough protective equipment, including gowns, masks and hoods.
The 126-year old Barbour, famous for its wax jackets and country fashion, is targeting the manufacture of 23,000 gowns over three weeks, chairman Margaret Barbour told BBC radio on Wednesday. It hopes to have made at least 7,000 by the end of the week.Barbour, 80, said the project stemmed from her close relationship with the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, northeast England, which was the first hospital in Britain to treat novel coronavirus patients in January.
She offered to help by recalling machinists at Barbour’s South Shields factory who in line with the national lockdown were not working, reorganising the plant’s layout to comply with the government’s social distancing regulations. “They are so enthusiastic to help, I think we all are in this desperate time,” she said, noting that Barbour is no stranger to adaptation.
During both world wars the factory was turned over to make military garments to assist the war effort.Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Stephen Addison and Mark Potter
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
British Fashion Brand Barbour Pivots From Wax Jackets To Medical Gowns Amid PPE ShortageI am a breaking news reporter for Forbes in London, covering Europe and the U.S. Previously I was a news reporter for HuffPost UK, the Press Association and a night reporter at the Guardian. I studied Social Anthropology at the London School of Economics, where I was a writer and editor for one of the university’s global affairs magazines, the London Globalist. That led me to Goldsmiths, University of London, where I completed my M.A. in Journalism. Got a story? Get in touch at isabel.togohforbes.com, or follow me on Twitter bissieness. I look forward to hearing from you.
Read more »
Chris Cuomo Says He Got 'Cocky' After Going 60 Hours Without a FeverThe newsman opened up once again about his ongoing and frustrating battle with the coronavirus.
Read more »
All L.A. residents with symptoms can now get same-day or next-day coronavirus testsCoronavirus: All L.A. residents showing symptoms can now get coronavirus tests
Read more »
L.A. voters lack confidence in Trump's coronavirus performance, give Newsom, Garcetti high marks, poll findsCoronavirus: L.A. voters lack confidence in Trump's coronavirus performance, give Newsom, Garcetti high marks
Read more »
J&J sees recovery in coronavirus-hit medical devices unit at end of yearCoronavirus helped drive Johnson & Johnson's quarterly profit higher as people stocked up on its over-the-counter drugs. But J&J lowered its full-year forecast due to the hit to its medical device business with hip and knee replacement procedures on hold
Read more »
Australia investigates if 'illegal' medical worker dinner party behind coronavirus bumpAustralian officials are investigating whether an illegal social gathering of health workers is behind a spike in coronavirus cases in the island state of Tasmania, as the government forecast national unemployment to hit 10% by mid-year.
Read more »