Petition to help UK pottery firm in administration nears milestone | UK | News
Denby Pottery has existed for over two centuries (Image: Getty)
A 217-year-old British pottery firm under administration wants major change from ministers. Denby Pottery’s website includes a link to the petition calling for the Government’s Supercharger scheme – designed to reduce operating and electricity costs for strategic, energy-intensive industries – to include ceramic manufacturers. It currently has around 90,000 signatures (88,280 at the time of writing). The Derbyshire firm went into administration on March 31 as a result of “rising costs and low consumer confidence”.
The online document, prepared by Hayley Baddiley, argues that the move would “help reduce rising industrial energy costs and support ceramic businesses that are at risk of imminent collapse without urgent intervention, as seen in Denby Pottery signing up for administration support.”
It adds: “Urgently review and extend the British Industrial Supercharger to include the ceramics industry in its remit and prepare a policy statement on the Government’s policy to protect and support industry and employment.”
Rachel Reeves has gone completely crazy; About to bankrupt England even further
Denby Pottery was appointed into administration in March (Image: Derbion)
The business will trade in management managed by FRP Advisory.
Discussions with interested parties regarding the sale of some or all of the business and its brands will continue.
Denby says it will continue to serve orders placed online and in its stores and supply its customers as normal during this period.
The government said it “plans to consult publicly on the suitability of the British Industry Supercharger this year.”
In response to the petition on May 11, he added: “However, the results of the consultation, including future industry involvement, cannot be taken in advance.
“The British Industry Supercharger provides targeted assistance to energy-intensive industries (EIIs) that qualify for electricity policies and network costs on the basis of their high exposure to carbon leakage, the shifting of production and jobs to overseas competitors that do not face equivalent climate change policy controls.
“The current list of eligible sectors is set out in secondary legislation under the Electricity Supplier Obligations (Amended and Excluded Electricity) Regulations 2015 (as amended), the Electricity Capacity (Payments etc. to Suppliers) (Amended and Excluded Electricity) Regulations 2024 and the Energy Intensive Industry Electricity Support Payments and Levy Regulations 2024 (as amended).”
The government emphasized that any changes to the eligibility criteria under the program are subject to public consultation as well as approval by Parliament and ministers.
He added: “Whilst no firm date has been given for when this consultation will begin, DBT encourages the ceramics industry to participate in this review and provide all relevant evidence when the opportunity arises.
“The Government has set out actions to support UK industry and boost economic growth in our Modern Industrial Strategy. Through IS-8 and targeted support for frontier industries, the Government will increase the resilience of supply chains, increase trading opportunities and reduce regulatory burdens. Support for these strategic sectors will not only boost economic growth but also create jobs across the country. However, all industries will have a role to play in stimulating our economy.
“The Government recognizes the importance of the ceramics industry to many communities, particularly the profound importance of the tableware industry to Stoke-on-Trent. The ceramics industry has faced difficult economic conditions, exacerbated by the uncertain geopolitical environment. The Government will continue to engage closely with the industry, trade unions and Ceramics UK, the industry’s main trade association, to better understand the challenges they face and explore how they can best be supported.”
