'Save a British institution from being lost forever': Denby Pottery enter administration
Denby Pottery have spoken out
A 200-year-old Derbyshire pottery manufacturer has plunged into administration putting hundreds of jobs at risk on what is being described as a “dark day”.
Denby Pottery, established in 1809, based in the countryside between Heanor, Ripley and Belper, is now in administration, the firm announced on Tuesday, March 31.
After 217 years the firm has entered “challenging times” and “enormous financial challenges” with reduced spending from customers, higher employment costs and surging energy prices.
It had announced the intended appointment of administrators three weeks ago, saying it hoped to secure new investors, restructure or face “closing for good”.
'Save Denby'
Claire Ward, East Midlands Mayor, agreed with the sentiment that, from the outside looking in, nobody appeared to be aware of how bad things had become at the company.
She said she had met with management at the site last week in a bid to save the firm, which employs 350 people in Derbyshire and more than 500 across the company.
Ms Ward said: “I did what I am encouraging everyone else to do, and that is to buy Denby pottery. Save Denby.
'Tourist attraction'
“It is really important for their cashflow at the moment that they get in as much money as possible, so people can help by going and visiting and buying Denby pottery.
“There are 350 jobs on that site just in the factory and across the company it has over 500 jobs.
“359,000 people every year visit Denby Pottery Village, it is an absolutely fantastic tourist attraction.”
'Important part of our heritage'
She said she was working closely with Linsey Farnsworth, Amber Valley MP, to make the case for intervention from Government aimed at saving the 217-year-old firm.
Ms Ward said: “We want to save this really important part of our heritage, it is over 200 years old, but also because it is an important part of our manufacturing and tourism in this region.
“People can play their part by buying Denby pottery.
“There are some commercial decisions in this, they have creditors, they have some real financial challenges.
“It is a very high-cost industry when it comes to energy and some of the solutions for them are much longer-term but we can try and help them as much as possible to bridge that gap and everyone needs to lean in.”
Ms Farnsworth said: “While today is a dark day, the formal move into administration is a protective step aimed at keeping the kilns firing while a long-term investor is sought.
'Redundancies'
“My focus remains firmly on the future of this iconic brand and the livelihoods of the workforce.
“Over the past week, I have been on the ground meeting with senior management, GMB union representatives, and the employees themselves to support them in any way I can.
“Today’s news of redundancies is of course extremely worrying for all concerned and I would encourage anyone directly affected to contact my office.
'Ceramics sector'
“I am actively engaging with other local businesses to identify any job opportunities in the local area.
“I, along with Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, am continuing to act as a direct link between the company and the Department for Business and Trade, while pressing ministers in Parliament to fast-track the energy support our ceramics sector needs.
“Should a new investor come forward it is important that the most favourable conditions are in place so that the company can be rescued.
“I urge everyone to keep backing the #SaveDenby campaign; by continuing to shop and visit the pottery village, we show potential partners that this historic Derbyshire institution is a world-class asset well worth the investment.”
Craig Thomson, GMB organiser, said: “This is the human cost of Government inaction; communities let down and workers laid off by companies that can’t keep up with the cost of energy.
“There is a very real sense of fury amongst the Denby workers receiving this news today.
“We’ve been screaming and shouting about the impact the cost of industrial energy is having on the ceramics industry for years.
'Support and protect workers'
“Now the time for warm words is over, and ministers must decide if they want a British ceramics industry or not.
“Denby is a British icon with history dating back over 200 years. We’ve been working closely with the local MP and residents to make the case that its future is too important to be left to chance.
“GMB is focused on doing everything we can to support and protect these workers during this difficult time.”
We've contacted the government for comment.
What do Denby say?
The Denby Pottery website states: “For over 200 years, Denby has been handcrafted on the same site in Derbyshire, where it was founded.
“Generations of craftspeople have poured love and skill into every pot, each piece created has found its way to homes in the UK and abroad.
“The plates used for birthday cake, the mug for that warm cup of tea when things feel a bit too much, the Christmas dinners, the quick leftovers after a hard day. Denby was there for it all.
“Now we find ourselves at a critical moment, with our pottery, heritage and the livelihoods of 500+ employees at risk, we are asking you to be there for us.
“In a world of turmoil and anger, please do something meaningful and positive if you’re able to.
“Something to feel good about, something which will make a positive difference and potentially save a British institution from being lost forever.”