Government hint at potential future support for Denby Pottery
The firm has ceased manufacturing after 200 years
The Government has hinted at potential future support for Denby Pottery and the UK’s ceramics industry after thousands petitioned for action, dozens were made redundant and manufacturing ceased.
It has now responded to a petition at saving Denby Pottery weeks after the firm ceased manufacturing after 200 years.
Denby Pottery announced it had fallen into administration in late March and, by late April, it ceased all further manufacturing, with more than 120 workers made redundant to date.
A petition launched by the Derbyshire firm, which had employed 350 staff locally and been operational since 1809, aimed to secure ‘supercharger’ financial support for Denby and the ceramics industry to provide relief from surging electricity costs.
The Government has now responded to the petition, after it garnered 78,000 signatures – with 100,000 required for a debate in Parliament.
It says it is to launch a public consultation on potentially widening the scope of the “British Industry Supercharger” later this year – with no date specified.
The Department for Business and Trade says it cannot pre-empt the results of that survey to make any sort of commitment to the ceramics industry.
A response issued by the Government makes no reference to the Derbyshire firm, but does mention Stoke-on-Trent, in Staffordshire.
It wrote: “The Government recognises the importance of the ceramics sector to many communities, particularly the deep importance of the tableware industry to Stoke-on-Trent.
“The ceramics industry has faced difficult economic circumstances, exacerbated by an uncertain geopolitical environment.
“The Government will continue to engage with the industry, trade unions and the sector’s main trade association, Ceramics UK, to better understand their challenges and explore how they can best be supported.”
In response, Craig Thompson, GMB organiser, said: “We’ve been clear with the Government for years that our ceramics industry is facing the brunt of fluctuating gas prices.
“Britain’s ceramic workers will welcome the news the Government will review eligibility for the vital Supercharger scheme, but the sector must feel this support urgently.”
A message on the Denby website details: “Our petition urges the government to review the ‘supercharger’ energy relief scheme to include the ceramics industry. Whilst our future is still uncertain, we truly believe if every person who has supported #SaveDenby so far could sign, then this could make a huge difference for the UK ceramics industry as a whole.”
The petition itself calls for Government to: “Apply energy intensive industry relief (Supercharger scheme) to the ceramics industry to help cut soaring industrial energy costs & support ceramics businesses, which are at the risk of imminent collapse without urgent intervention, as seen with Denby Pottery registering for administration support.
“Urgently review the British Industrial Supercharger and expand it to include the ceramics industry within its remit, and produce a policy statement about the Government’s policy to protect and support industry and jobs.”
Of the 78,000 people who have signed the petition, 3,400 are from Amber Valley, 2,100 are from Mid Derbyshire, 1,100 from the Derbyshire Dales and 1,000 from Derby North.
After 217 years the firm 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 in early March, saying it hoped to secure new investors, restructure or face “closing for good”.
However, administrators FRP Advisory shared in late April that it had not been possible to secure a buyer for the manufacturing operations and made the “difficult decision” to close the business’ making and design departments.
Trade union GMB, representing Denby workers, had said it would “resist and fight” the move, dubbing it “shameful” and “totally avoidable”.
It previously said the struggles of Denby and its workers were “the human cost of Government inaction”, saying: “The time for warm words is over, and ministers must decide if they want a British ceramics industry or not.”