THE Princess Royal was given a tour around two of Barnsley’s biggest employers last Thursday.

Princess Anne landed by helicopter in Athersley before being taken to GXO on Park Spring Road and then Haywood and Padgett on Carlton Industrial Estate.

It was her first visit to the town since 2021 when she opened the NHS Blood and Transplant Blood Centre.

During her visit to the ASOS fulfilment centre at Great Houghton, operated by GXO, she was invited to the site to look around the facility and talk to colleagues.

The site, which employs more than 3,000 people and is Barnsley’s largest private employer, has long been recognised for its commitment to health, safety and colleague wellbeing and has held a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for Health and Safety consistently each year since 2016.

The Princess Royal also met with two apprentices who are currently enrolled in programmes at the site.

Russell Atkinson, managing director for fashion and apparel at GXO UK and Ireland, said: “We’re proud to work with ASOS to create a workplace where our colleagues feel supported and can thrive.

“It was a real privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Barnsley and highlight that looking after people’s health, safety and resilience is a top priority for us at GXO.”

Chris Smith, senior vice president for supply chain at ASOS, added: “We’re committed to being a responsible employer that supports people right across the UK.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to our fulfilment centre today and showcase the work we’re doing, together with GXO, to put our commitments into practice and deliver a positive impact for people and the local community.”