Denby Pottery has slashed the price of all products after it was confirmed 217-year-old business would cease manufacturing. The chain appointed administrators on March 31 after rising costs left the company operating at a loss, the former CEO Sebastian Lazell confirmed.
More than 100 workers are understood to have been made redundant, after initial reports suggested 80 people were laid off, followed by a further 49 workers, as confirmed by administrators on April 22. Administrators FRP Advisory said it had “not been possible to secure a buyer for the manufacturing operations” and a “difficult decision to close the business’s making and design departments” had been made.
Craig Thomson, local organiser for the GMB, which represents workers at the site, said it was “shameful, totally avoidable, that administrators are stripping this company of its most important asset, its highly skilled potters”. He added: “We will resist and fight for workers for their voice to be heard.”
The pottery business has been operating from its Derbyshire studio since 1809, with more than 500 craftspeople, apprentices, engineers and nationwide store managers employed.
Denby confirmed it would continue trading in administration, managed by FRP Advisory, as they continue discussions regarding a sale of some or all of the business and its brands.
“During this period Denby will continue to service orders placed online and through its stores and to supply its customers as normal,” it said. All stock has been reduced by between 20-50%.
Earlier in March, the firm said reduced customer demand, “escalating” employment costs and “soaring” energy costs had “squeezed the business financially”. Mr Lazell previously told the BBC he had tried to “move heaven and earth” to save the business.
A petition to save the ceramics industry has now amassed more than 69,000 signatures. It has called on the Government to include ceramics businesses in the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which provides relief from electricity costs.
Former worker Hayley Baddiley told the BBC: “This petition basically calls on the government for a level playing field – we have some of the most expensive industry costs in the world.”
One diappointed customer shared on Reddit: “Pour one out for a 200+ year old company that never reduced their quality. We’ve been adding on to our set for over 30 years and you can’t tell the difference between the 30 year old plates and the 2 year old plates.”
When further redundancies were announced, Tony Wright, joint administrator and partner at FRP, said: “This is another very difficult day for the skilled workers at Denby and we understand how devastating this news will be for those affected and their families.
“Unfortunately, despite extensive efforts, we have been unable to find a buyer for the manufacturing operations and have had to take this difficult decision.
“We remain in discussions with interested parties regarding other parts of the business and continue to do everything we can to support affected employees through this process.”