Mulberry closes Somerset factory amid social distancing rules

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 25, 2020

Mulberry has not only closed all physical stores across the UK but also its factories in Somerset for at least three weeks.

The luxury brand revealed this week that it will swing to a “small” loss in the second half of the year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Payouts to shareholders have been suspended and the company has abstained from providing guidance for its future performance “given the rapidly evolving nature of the situation”.

According to a report from i News, the Somerset facilities in Chilcompton and Bridgwater have also closed. These factories produce around half of the company’s leather goods and were the focus of an activation in the Mulberry flagship store during London Fashion Week in February.

The handbag maker will review the situation next month and decide what to do next, i News reported. Staff will continue to be paid during the period.

Mulberry began producing its accessories in Somerset in the early 1970s. 

The luxury company is now preparing to bid goodbye to its creative director Johnny Coca, who is set to leave at the end of March after five years at the firm.