Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “a woman is like a teabag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water”.
It seems somewhat appropriate to say that now – as the country enters uncharted territories due to the Coronavirus pandemic – Britain is proving itself to be a force to be reckoned with (a bit like a cup of Yorkshire Tea if you ask us!).
The quick actions of brands and retailers around the UK, combined with the resilience of Brits, leaves us feeling hopeful that we’ll be able to get through whatever faces us.
There are so many amazing businesses making a positive change, but we’ve picked out a few that we think showcase how brands are really caring for their customers around the country.
They’re Feeding the Country
Supermarkets are leading the way in supporting their customers, suppliers and staff as the country faces a period of uncertainty, particularly in regard to food and drink provisions.
Both Sainsburys and Iceland have already set aside an hour when stores open each morning to allow the elderly and vulnerable to shop in a clean and safe environment, with other supermarkets likely to follow suite in the near future. Aldi has also donated an incredible £250,000 to Age UK to ensure the vital service will be able to continue.
Morrisons has set out a number of measures to support colleagues, suppliers and customers over the next few months. Its measures include working with Amazon Prime to offer more delivery slots and collection points, supporting customers who are self-isolating and unable to get into stores. The supermarket chain is also implementing immediate payments for smaller suppliers and offering a colleague hardship fund for those impacted by Coronavirus.
They’re Supporting the NHS
The work of the NHS staff is crucial during the next period; McDonalds and Pret a Manger are offering NHS workers free drinks, with the latter also offering 50 per cent off its food range.
LVMH, the parent company of many luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy, has begun the process of developing hand sanitiser for hospitals in place of perfume. Brewdog and Bristol-based gin manufacturer Psychopomp and Circumstance are using in house expertise to fill a desperate need.
They’re Keeping us Entertained and Informed
The BBC will be utilising its extensive platforms across channels, stations and online to keep the public up-to-date with ongoing news around Coronavirus and providing much needed entertainment, such as bringing many of its much loved box sets to BBC iPlayer.
In light of the recent announcement that schools will be closing for most students for the foreseeable future, the BBC has also increased the educational programming across iPlayer and its red button, ensuring school children of all ages won’t miss out.
Local radio stations in England will be launching a virtual church service, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday mornings. The BBC is exploring ways it can provide services for other religions, especially in the run-up to Ramadan.
We’re proud to work with some incredible brands which are also doing their bit, including Best Western, which is offering 15,000 hotel bedrooms and over 1,000 meeting rooms to help the NHS and local authorities through the next few months – helping to take the strain off hospital wards and thus allowing the NHS treat the most vulnerable patients.
As a nation, we are heading into a period of uncertainty, but it’s comforting to know that we have some incredible businesses here in the the UK who are ready to step up for the good of the people.