Barbour Produces NHS Medical Gowns In Battle Against Coronavirus

British heritage brand Barbour has switched up its production lines to create medical gowns for the NHS in the fight against coronavirus. Channeling memories of their efforts during both world wars, Barbour has stopped production on their famous wax coats and instead made the decision to join other brands to ensure medical staff has the PPE that they need.

The plan is to create a total of 10,000 gowns by the start of May, with 7,000 already dished out at the end of last week! The 126-year-old brand was inspired to help after images of NHS staff wearing clinical waste bags on their heads and feet emerged online, with staff pleading for the correct gear at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, UK.

Barbour's chairman Margaret Barbour who is 80-year-old offered to help by recalling machinists from at their South Shields factory who were not working in line with the national lockdown. The plant's entire layout was reorganized to comply with the social distancing rules and they have also pledged to begin production on non-surgical gowns and masks at its factory in Castlefield, York.

Speaking to the BBC, Barbour expressed her enthusiasm to help out during this difficult time, “It’s extremely worthwhile to know that we’re playing our part.” She also spoke of the brand's efforts during both world wars by changing over their factories to create military garments. The memory is emotional for Barbour, “We even made trench sleeping bags in World War One, which really upsets me a bit.”

The move by the brand to help in the battle against coronavirus follows on from the likes of Louis Vuitton & Chanel, with LV opening their workshop to produce gowns for the Hôpitaux de Paris and Chanel preparing prototype facemasks.

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