Branson Asks UK Court To Decide If Virgin Brand Has Lost Its Luster
The argument is central to a $250 million suit against the Florida high speed rail operator Brightline
Sir Richard Branson has asked a court in the United Kingdom to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the Virgin brand, according to reports in the Financial Times. The argument is central to a $251 million Sir Richard Branson has asked a court in the United Kingdom to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the Virgin brand, according to reports in the Financial Times. The argument is central to a $251 million dollar lawsuit Branson is waging against Brightline, the US high speed rail operator.
Brightline pulled out of a plan rebrand its service to Virgin’s moniker in April of 2020 when the brand was suffering pandemic losses, with Virgin Atlantic flights grounded, its hotels closed and the launch of its cruise ship delayed.
In addition Branson was under fire because of media reports on his efforts to secure government funding when he himself lived tax-free in the Caribbean. Branson suffered a spate of bad headlines throughout 2020 while he struggled to infuse Virgin Atlantic and other ventures with funds. His mother, Eve, died in January 2021 of Covid-19.
Plans for Brightline’s Florida high speed link is currently on hold due to COVID-19 and is not expected to begin rail service again until later in 2021 according to its website.
