Burberry “absolutely committed” to Yorkshire despite scrapping Leeds factory plans
Burberry chief creative officer and former CEO Christopher Bailey has hailed Brexit as an “enormous” opportunity for UK industries and said the company is “absolutely committed” to keeping its manufacturing in Yorkshire.
His comments following the company’s decision put on hold plans to open a trench coat factory in Leeds’ South Bank following the Brexit referendum last year.
Brexit, and changes in the industry combined with changing consumer behaviour, have created uncertainty for Burberry, Bailey said, resulting in the suspension of a planned £50m investment in Leeds.
Burberry already has two manufacturing sites in Yorkshire but shortly following the Brexit vote last year the company said it was putting on hold the decision over whether to continue with the new development.
The fashion giant had planned to refurbish and reopen the historic grade I-listed former flax mill Temple Works, a move which would have created 200 jobs in the city.
Plans for the site were first revealed in 2015, with a completion date set for 2019.
“Since we made that decision and bought that land a lot of things have changed in the world and as any responsible organisation, when you have these big shifts you need to reflect,” said Bailey.
“We are absolutely committed to keeping our manufacturing in this country with our factories in Yorkshire, but with the new site we’re just taking a moment to make sure we understand the ramifications.”
Bailey, who stepped down from his role as chief executive of the British luxury fashion brand in July, told the BBC’s Today Programme that “Britishness resonates globally”, creating worldwide opportunities for growth.
Bailey was chief executive of Burberry until July and returned to a more creative role, handing the chief executive reins to Marco Gobetti.
Asked on the BBC’s Today programme what the potential is for post-Brexit Britain, Mr Bailey said it was “enormous”.
“I think it’s a much smaller world today than it’s ever been in terms of being able to trade,” he said.
“The possibilities and the potential for growth, both locally here in the UK and overseas, is enormous,” he added.
