Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Lucozade staff get extra day off to back England
SOME 700 people living in the Forest of Dean have an extra reason to cheer on the Lionesses in tomorrow’s Euro 2022 football final – they’ve been given a day off to celebrate.
Suntory has given all its West staff a bonus day off to mark skipper Leah Williamson leading the Lionesses to the hugely anticipated final against Germany.
The company manufactures Lucozade, which is an official partner of England football teams, at its giant plant in Coleford.
It made a similar offer to staff last year during the delayed men’s Euro 2020, but will be hoping the Lionesses can go one better than Harry Kane’s men.
The Japanese-owned beverage firm employs about 700 people in Coleford and is one of the Forest’s biggest employers.
It is famous for making Ribena and Lucozade at the factory and said regardless of the result at Wembley it wants its employees to take it as a day of celebration for the England women’s team.
While some will get the day off on Monday, the remainder will be given a day in lieu to use later in the year to ensure the factory continues production as normal.
Its Lucozade Sport brand is the official hydration partner of all England football teams and has been since 2006.
Hannah Norbury, marketing director at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “An England final is an England final, regardless of who’s playing.
“We’ve been behind the team all the way and no matter the outcome of Sunday’s match we want our employees to have the chance to celebrate this achievement. Inclusivity is so important to our business and our brand so we hope our campaign encourages a conversation about making the nation’s most played sport as accessible as it can be for players from all walks of life.”
Suntory offered its employees the day off following the men’s final last summer and in spirit of its Football is Football campaign, has followed through with the same promise this year.
This is one of a number of ‘Reconnect Days’ gifted to employees by the soft drinks company in the past year to allow them to take time to reconnect with themselves, friends and families after the challenges of the pandemic.
See centre pages for our special Lionesses poster.