A Thornbury Workwear company has received a special “virtual visit” from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Metro Mayor hopeful Dan Norris, who praised the company for protecting frontline Covid heroes.
Sir Keir and Mr Norris held a zoom meeting with Alexandra Workwear where they met managing director Martin Lyne and staff who explained how the company has transformed since March.
During the first wave of the pandemic, the demand for NHS scrubs rose by 600% in a week – up from 22,000 to 130,000 items – as hospitals throughout the country struggled to cope with the influx of Coronavirus patients.
The nimble Thornbury-based company turned its operations around in a matter of weeks, with over 90% of manufacturing capacity in its UK and international factories being switched to producing scrubs for the NHS.
Dan Norris, Labour’s candidate for West of England Metro Mayor said:
“It was great to welcome Keir today to Alexandra Workwear so we could hear first-hand how a local business has risen to the challenge and helped our amazing NHS staff. I am so proud of the way so many people and local businesses have stepped up during the pandemic. “Of course, this has been, and continues to be a really tough time. Many people have lost their jobs and I know other businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors are struggling. I will be a jobs first Metro Mayor and fight to make sure local businesses have access to support and that people get access to the training they need.”
THORNBURY WORKWEAR COMPANY WINS PRAISE FROM LABOUR LEADER AND METRO MAYOR HOPEFUL
