Ilford HP5
Ilford HP5 is one if Ilford Photo’s most popular films

The maker of Ilford films has taken to social media to assure film photographers it is still producing photo products during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ilford Photo, based at Mobberley in Cheshire, England, posted the update on Facebook on Tuesday (24 March).

It comes a day after the UK government instituted stricter measures on movement in an attempt to curb the recent rise in coronavirus cases.

“As a global community we face a lot of uncertainty and disruption ahead. While photography is understandably not your number one priority right now, we want to reassure you that our factory currently remains operational. We will continue to manufacture and ship our products for as long as possible while we also look to safeguard the longer-term future of our business and the wider industry.

“This situation is rapidly evolving and we will continue to closely monitor and adhere to any advice issued by the UK government. Our principle concern, as always, is for the health and safety of our employees and customers but also those of our supporting global network of distributors, retailers and labs. All are likely to be impacted over the coming days, weeks and months.

“For anyone self-isolating we hope our products can be a welcome distraction. Now, more than ever we need a creative outlet and so we will also be working to provide you with educational and inspirational content on our @ilfordphoto social channels. Indeed, now might be the ideal time to process your backlog of film (at home or using the many labs that are still open for mail order services), learn how to set up and print in a home darkroom, organise or scan your negatives, create a zine or even start documenting this unique time in our history on your favourite ILFORD film.

“Please remember there is also an active and friendly community of passionate film photographers and printers out there on social media so lean on each other in these times of isolation.

“If you are tempted to stockpile rolls, we recommend ones that go into a camera. If you insist on paper, make it the type you can print on in the darkroom. If your bathroom is also your darkroom please don’t put our papers near your backside or try to flush them!

“Finally, look after yourself, support those who are vulnerable and we will all get through this together.”

Ilford Photo, owned by Harman which also produces the Kentmere brand of films, is the last major film producer in the UK, producing a range of black-and-white films, printing papers and developing chemicals.

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Stephen Dowling
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Hexar
Hexar
3 years ago

First good news in recent weeks.