Burberry to scrap new Leeds factory

Fashion label, Burberry has announced it is to scrap its plans for a major factory in Leeds as it looks to sell the land it was set to be built on.

The brand will sell 10 acres of land located next to the Grade I listed Temple Works building, after deciding it was not a suitable area for the factory. The Leeds factory plans were announced in 2015, however they fell apart after being put on hold in 2017.

Employing as many as 1000 people, the factory was set to do both the manufacturing and weaving for the company’s trench coats. The site will be sold to an unnamed buyer, with Burberry set to focus on its operations in Castleford and Keighley.

Burberry chief operation and financial officer Julie Brown, said: “We can confirm that we have decided to sell the land we own in central Leeds. After a detailed review, we concluded that the site is not suitable to support our plans.

“We remain committed to Yorkshire and the UK, and as part of this we will continue to invest in our existing manufacturing operations in Castleford and Keighley, home to our iconic Burberry Heritage trench coat.”