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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.
