Latest news with #KeithBrymerJones
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.
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Star panel revealed for BBC Radio Stoke Make A Difference Awards
An all-star panel of judges has been announced for this year's BBC Radio Stoke Make A Difference across all eight categories close at 17:00 BST on year's judges include an Olympic gold medallist and a former Blue Peter presenter as well as a host of actors and TV stars. Among them The Great Pottery Throw Down presenter Keith Brymer Jones and They Think It's All Over's Nick award ceremony will take place later this year at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent. The full list of categories this year is:The Volunteer Award, judged by The Great Pottery Throw Down presenter Keith Brymer Jones, is awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help Young Hero Award, judged by track and field athlete and sports presenter Jazmin Sawyers, will be awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something Great Neighbour Award, judged by actor and TV presenter Nick Hancock, is awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of Active Award, judged by trampoline gold medal-winning Olympian Bryony Page, awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their Animal Award, judged by former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, is awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people's lives or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of Green Award, judged by explorer, author, and documentary maker Levison Wood, which is awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local Fundraiser Award, judged by playwright and actor Deb McAndrew, is awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good Community Group Award, judged by former SAS soldier Melvyn Downes, awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community. A spokesperson for the station said: "We're so lucky in Staffordshire and Cheshire that they go above and beyond in their communities."Every year, we're inspired by their stories, and it's wonderful to be able to recognise just a few of them at this special occasion." To nominate a winner, visit the BBC's Make A Difference pages online. Shortlisted finalists will be notified from June 2025. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Throwdown judge hopeful for pottery industry
The Great Pottery Throwdown judge and ceramics designer, Keith Brymer Jones, has said the ceramics industry needs to adapt, following the collapse of the Royal Stafford pottery. He also lamented the loss of a workforce which had "hundreds of years of combined experience". Administrators appointed on Tuesday said without the guarantee of a profitable order book there was nothing that could be done to save the firm. Mr Brymer Jones said "joined-up thinking", led by the government, was needed, but other countries, such as Germany, had successfully turned around their ceramics industries. He said he did not know much about the situation at Royal Stafford, which was based in Burslem. But he said the loss of another big pottery business "was not really a surprise", given rising energy prices. "You just have more hoops to go through," he said. "You just wonder when it's going to end." The collapse of the company has resulted in 83 people losing their jobs and Mr Brymer Jones said: "They're not only their jobs, but we're losing, as a nation, their accumulated skill set." He said Stoke-on-Trent had been "neglected for so long" and the ceramics industry had been "decimated in the 1990s and early 2000s". But he saw hope the Labour government would do something to help and said: "We all have to move on and the 21st Century is what it is, but we can adapt." "We just need that direct, joined-up thinking from the government." Tristram Hunt, the former MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said he was also hopeful. He told the BBC: "There are still good businesses and a lot of excitement in the design community around ceramics, and we have to thank Keith Brymer Jones and others for assisting with that." But he added: "The raw economics of ceramics production in an era of such high energy costs is obviously punishing." He said ceramics were the "lifeblood" of Stoke-on-Trent and also called for government help. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Pottery workers told to pack up and leave - union 'How many more blows can the pottery industry take?' Pottery firm with 200-year history goes bust Keith Brymer Jones
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Great Pottery Throwdown judge hopeful for pottery industry
The Great Pottery Throwdown judge and ceramics designer, Keith Brymer Jones, has said the ceramics industry needs to adapt, following the collapse of the Royal Stafford also lamented the loss of a workforce which had "hundreds of years of combined experience".Administrators appointed on Tuesday said without the guarantee of a profitable order book there was nothing that could be done to save the Brymer Jones said "joined-up thinking", led by the government, was needed, but other countries, such as Germany, had successfully turned around their ceramics industries. He said he did not know much about the situation at Royal Stafford, which was based in he said the loss of another big pottery business "was not really a surprise", given rising energy prices."You just have more hoops to go through," he said. "You just wonder when it's going to end."The collapse of the company has resulted in 83 people losing their jobs and Mr Brymer Jones said: "They're not only their jobs, but we're losing, as a nation, their accumulated skill set."He said Stoke-on-Trent had been "neglected for so long" and the ceramics industry had been "decimated in the 1990s and early 2000s".But he saw hope the Labour government would do something to help and said: "We all have to move on and the 21st Century is what it is, but we can adapt.""We just need that direct, joined-up thinking from the government."Tristram Hunt, the former MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said he was also told the BBC: "There are still good businesses and a lot of excitement in the design community around ceramics, and we have to thank Keith Brymer Jones and others for assisting with that."But he added: "The raw economics of ceramics production in an era of such high energy costs is obviously punishing."He said ceramics were the "lifeblood" of Stoke-on-Trent and also called for government help. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
