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BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
How Staffordshire pottery sector reacted to industrial strategy
"Pathetic", "a missed opportunity", "a four out of 10 at best" – these were some of the phrases used by the pottery industry to describe the government's industrial 10-year plan announced on Monday confirmed 7,000 businesses would see electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, while 500 firms would get a 90% cut in network charges from 2026 under the British Industry Supercharger some in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire – the heart of the UK ceramics industry – cautiously welcomed it as a "start", many have been left Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the sector was "foundational" to the UK and would benefit from the measures. Three firms in Stoke-on-Trent have collapsed since the start of 2025 – Royal Stafford, Heraldic Pottery and Moorcroft, though the latter was recently bought by the founder's companies, workers and unions have been calling on the government to support the industry, which has become beset by rising energy prices and falling sales. After the spending review came and went, ministers including Ed Miliband said support would be revealed in the Industrial following its announcement, many questioned why ceramics was barely mentioned in the document and wondered where the actions were regarding the cost of gas – the dominant energy source in the association Ceramics UK accused the government of misleading and misunderstanding the UK chief executive Rob Flello said: "This represents a missed opportunity to back one of the UK's most enduring and strategically important manufacturing industries."Fifth-generation ceramicist Emily Johnson, owner of Barlaston-based 1882 Ltd, had previously described the industry as being "on its knees".On the industrial strategy, she said: "Pathetic, is a word. I think that we've been let down again."But you know what, Stoke is resilient and we are not going to get the support that we need from them so we're just going to have to do it ourselves." Beverley Berry was one of the 57 workers at Moorcroft who lost her job, and she has been campaigning for government help ever said she was left "disappointed" by the strategy and questioned whether it was all worth it."I feel quite pessimistic about it. When I first heard the news and thought it was imminent that we were going to help, I thought it wasn't all in vain," she Laver, CEO of Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, gave the strategy a "four out of 10 at best" and said businesses needed support "now"."Stoke-on-Trent is only mentioned once on page 41 – that's it," she said. "If we were the steel industry, I think we would have had much more support thrown at us and we don't want to see more businesses go to the wall." There were those who were cautiously optimistic, including Portmeirion boss Mike Raybould, who said the measures were "a start" but called for faster action."It's good that they're recognising and finally talking about the UK ceramics industry," he told BBC Radio Stoke."But we need to see the detail, we need to see faster action and I suspect we probably need to see more support as well."While the support with electricity bills was welcome, Mr Raybould said firms wanted to see support with gas prices too, describing it as the more "dominant" form of energy in the new owner Will Moorcroft, grandson of founder William Moorcroft, also said the measures were "a start" but were unlikely to make a huge difference."There's still a lot of work to be done and, without getting political, there could be quicker decisions that could be made to help business, whether it's national insurance or business rates," he said. 'Foundational sector' In his statement in the House of Commons, Reynolds said ceramics was "recognised as a foundational sector" in the strategy,"Its principal request is about energy prices. There are some ceramics businesses - I accept not that many - that get the supercharger [discount] and will get the more generous rate."He said, however, the costs of a lot of those businesses did not match the intensity test the supercharger discount was based on."That is exactly why the British industrial competitiveness scheme has been designed in such a way that they will benefit from it, and that will be a game-changer for them," he gas prices, he said they were projected to fall "from the very significant level that they have been at" in future financial years. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Parliament serves food off German-made plates – sparking huge patriotism row and calls for Palace to 'buy British'
THE UK Parliament is serving food off German plates - sparking a huge patriotism row. Furious MPs slammed the "outrageous" practice and called on the Palace of Westminster to put country first and 'buy British". The members dining room in the House of Commons is used by MPs and is one of the grandest restaurants in the building. Its elaborate menu boasts that "wherever possible we use British produce'. But it serves its grub on plain white plates and saucers which are made by Villeroy and Boch - a German firm founded in 1748. Gareth Snell, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central - known as 'The Potteries because of its proud ceramics industry - slammed the practice. He told The Sun on Sunday: "Britain has the best ceramics in the world - but our own parliament is serving food off German plates. 'This is outrageous and it is unpatriotic. 'Parliament should support businesses in areas like mine and buy British crockery.' 2 Britain's once booming potteries industry has been hammered by sky high energy costs. Many firms have shed jobs and some have closed. Mr Snell is launching a Buy British potteries campaign - and is urging the parliamentary authorities to lead by example and only use UK-made plates. Robert Flello, CEO of Ceramics UK, said: 'Why is the UK House of Commons using German cups and saucers and plates in the dining room used by MPs? 'It is outrageous. They need to be told to buy British. There is no excuse. 'Our potteries produce the best quality crockery. 'Buying British goods is a matter of national pride and will also help an industry struggling because our energy costs are going through the roof. 'If you go to any other country - France or Italy say - I bet their state institutions are using crockery made in their own country.' Parliament has lots of different restaurants and cafes serving food off a wide range of crockery bought from suppliers from around the world. While it uses some crockery made in the UK, it does not have a policy to only buy British. A House of Commons spokesman said:'We source a wide range of crockery from firms within the UK, as well as from those based elsewhere. All purchasing is in line with relevant legislation for public bodies, which prioritises value for money."
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Family 'heartbroken' at prospect of Staffordshire pottery closure
Family 'heartbroken' as pottery firm struggles Just now Share Save Zoe Conway Employment correspondent Reporting from Stoke-on-Trent Share Save BBC Four generations of the Yates family have worked at Dunoon Mugs in Staffordshire Sharon Yates has been working at Dunoon Mugs in Staffordshire for more than three decades. Four generations of her family have worked there - her mother, Irene, who has now retired, her daughter-in-law, Leian, and granddaughter, Madi. But, the company, which was established 50 years ago, is struggling. The firm said its energy bills were now six times higher than they were three years ago; 20% of the workforce was made redundant and staff are working shorter hours. Ms Yates told the BBC she "would not be able to cope" if the pottery closed. "It's my life," she said. ''I just love putting the handles on the mugs. It's hard work, but it's therapeutic," said Ms Yates. "I'm proud to work here, it's in my blood." Three Staffordshire potteries have closed this year, and Dunoon's director Alan Smith said it was "entirely possible" that Dunoon could be next. Sharon Yates has been working at the site for 33 years Mr Smith said it was not just their energy bills - the rise in the minimum wage and employers' national insurance made it feel like the company was being "bombarded by all sides". On Wednesday, Stoke-on-Trent's MPs, the GMB trade union and the industry body Ceramics UK will meet Industry Minister Sarah Jones to call for urgent action to save the potteries. Ceramics is one of the most energy intensive industries in the UK and the sector is calling on the government to subsidise what it says are "crippling" energy bills. It also wants businesses to be temporarily exempt from carbon emissions penalties. The directors of Moorcroft Pottery announced last month the firm has stopped trading after more than 100 years. It was the latest blow to the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent, a city affectionately known as The Potteries. Dunoon Mugs said 20% of its workforce was made redundant and staff are working shorter hours Ms Yates' mother, 81 year-old Irene, has lived around the industry all her life. She said the city was once "buzzing", with more than 45,000 people working in ceramics. She met her husband David working on the line at the now-closed Staffordshire Pottery, and added it was "heartbreaking" to think Dunoon Mugs could close too. "I hope the government steps in to help us," she said. Last week, Gareth Snell, the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, gave a speech in Parliament, warning the industry faced collapse. He criticised the government's response to what he described as a "crisis" facing the industry. Mr Smith also added he was not confident Dunoon would get the help it needed from government. ''I don't think they behave as if they're interested in traditional industries," he said. In a statement, the Department for Business and Trade said: "Ministers continue to engage closely with the ceramics sector to understand the challenges and provide support, ensuring the industry is globally competitive as part of our Plan for Change."
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Moorcroft Pottery collapses after more than 100 years due to high energy bills
Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading more than 100 years after first opening in Britain. On 30 April, the Stoke-on-Trent based company announced with 'deep sadness' that its directors had appointed Moore Recovery to help it go into voluntary liquidation. As a result of the company's collapse, 57 members of staff lost their jobs this week. On its website, Moorcroft said any creditors would be contacted by insolvency experts at Moore Recovery 'in due course.' Earlier this year, Moorcroft warned of potential redundancies and said the firm's energy costs had risen by nearly £250,000 in just two years. Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones said no company could sustain such an increase in energy costs. Gone for good: Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading more than 100 years after first opening Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Brymer Jones said: 'It's incredibly sad news. 'We've been crying out for support for the ceramics industry and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole for years. 'It's never been considered a major industry in this country.' He added: 'It's 57 families that are connected to those jobs and the surrounding area, the support network, the shops, the cafes that all go with it. 'We're bloody good at making stuff here, there's a longstanding tradition of ceramics and we sell ceramics all over the world and we literally can't afford to lose this skillset.' GMB Organiser, Chris Hoofe, said on Thursday: 'The closure of Moorcroft is devastating news for workers and their families, but unfortunately it's not a surprise. 'The high cost of energy is crippling the ceramics sector in the UK and has directly led to the loss of 57 jobs at Moorcroft. 'The Government must act and act now to support the ceramics sector and protect workers in this sector.' Call for action: Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones said the ceramics sector needs more support A spokesperson for Ceramics UK, also based in Stoke-on-Trent, told This is Money: 'Ceramics UK is deeply saddened to learn of the announcement that Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading after more than 100 years. 'This regrettable news underscores the significant challenges currently facing the UK ceramics sector, including soaring energy costs, increased international competition, and a difficult trading environment. 'These pressures are making it increasingly difficult for even established and celebrated manufacturers to remain viable. 'Ceramics UK is actively engaging with the government and relevant stakeholders to highlight the urgent need for support for our vital industry.' A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: 'We know this will be a concerning time for Moorcroft Pottery workers and their families. 'Ministers continue to engage closely with the ceramics sector to understand the challenges and provide support, ensuring the industry is globally competitive as part of our plan for change.' History of Moorcroft Moorcroft Pottery traces its roots back to 1897 and has been based at its current headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent since 1913. The first pieces of fine art pottery from Moorcroft were designed by William Moorcroft and launched in 1897 while he was employed at James Macintyre & Co. William Moorcroft was a graduate of what is now the Royal College of Art in London. In 1913, and with the aid of substantial funds from Liberty, William Moorcroft was able to move production of his art pottery to the present factory in Sandbach Road under the name of W. Moorcroft Limited. In 1928, after winning many gold medals and prestigious international awards, Moorcroft was appointed 'Potters to H. M. The Queen', an honour which William Moorcroft accepted on behalf of his company. Walter Moorcroft became the company's sole Moorcroft designer in 1945. Walter Moorcroft developed his own style and introduced many exotic flowers into the firm's pottery designs. Bolder colours and designs began to emerge from the Moorcroft kilns after the Second World War. From 1993 until 1997, design at Moorcroft was spearheaded by ceramic graduate, Rachel Bishop. Before its demise this week, Moorcroft had five ceramic designers.
