Dunelm to make medical gowns in Leicester curtain factory for NHS workers

Furniture maker Dunelm is retooling a curtain factory to make medical gowns for NHS workers.

The company made the announcement on Thursday as its online site resumed operations.

The business said it is working with the NHS to re-purpose its curtainproduction site in Leicester, although it is not using curtain materials to make the gowns.

Meanwhile, Dunelm's online site is back up and running after a phased restart. Apart from some two-man jobs, which are expected to start next week, deliveries are now "fully operational", the business said.

It comes as chief executive Nick Wilkinson agreed to take a 90% pay cut for the next three months, and the chairman and non-executive directors of the company waived all of their fees.

Mr Wilkinson added: "Whilst many uncertainties remain, we have ensured that Dunelm and its many stakeholders will be well supported through this difficult period and are confident that we will emerge from this crisis as a stronger business ready to return to sustainable and profitable growth."

The retailer is working to make sure that its stores are set up to comply with social distancing guidance when they are allowed to reopen.