Ex-workers fear £120m funding 'too late' for Denby

Former workers at Denby Pottery have said a government announcement of £120m to support the ceramics industry is "too little too late".

The world-renowned firm went into administration on 31 March, as it stopped manufacturing and made more than 130 workers redundant.

Former worker Fran Cutmore said the support package was too late and insufficient to ensure a greener, more profitable future for the business.

Labour Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth said she believed the chancellor's announcement of financial support would make Denby Pottery "a more attractive prospect for potential investors" and that "hope was not lost" for the business.

Yesterday, the government announced that £60m will be available to help manufacturers invest in new equipment to support energy efficiency and long-term sustainability, and a further £60m will cover operational costs.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said he wanted to protect jobs and invest in a transformation of the industry.

"I want these companies to not just be thinking about the immediate trading environment that they're in today," said Kyle, referring to high energy bills.

"I want them to think about the future so this can be a pathway to long-term sustainable businesses that are highly profitable into the future, to bring back the sense of security that ceramics once had," he added.

He said he wanted to avoid any more pottery closures that would leave a "scarring" on their surrounding communities.

Former Denby employee Cutmore said the announcement was too late to save the historic firm.

"I'm a bit sad about it to be honest, I feel like it's too little too late really isn't it, particularly for Denby.

"I'm glad that they are recognising that there is an issue in the ceramics industry and we are going to lose it all if we don't do something about it, but unfortunately I think it is too late for Denby," she said.

She estimated Denby alone required half of the £120m designated to the whole ceramics sector in order to survive as a business.

Cutmore said she loved teaching pottery classes at the firm, but was made redundant in the first round of lay offs on 31 March.

Her former colleague Shaun Walters was also made redundant after 42 years of service.

He also said the support was "a bit late for Denby but very welcome news for the industry".

Former worker, Hayley Baddiley, set up a petition for the ceramics industry to be included in the British Industry Supercharger scheme - which provides relief from electricity costs for firms in sectors like steel and chemicals.

"The government's words will need to be quickly turned into action if it's to make a difference to key UK industry players who remain," she said.

Denby Pottery - established in 1809 - previously employed more than 500 staff, making it one of the biggest employers in Amber Valley.

The firm appointed administrators after it said it had struggled with rising energy and labour costs.

Other major pottery firms have also struggled in the past year for similar reasons, with Royal Stafford and Heraldic Pottery closing and Wedgwood pausing production for 90 days from September.

Moorcroft Pottery also closed after being liquidated, but was later bought by the grandson of the firm's founder.

Denby's administrators, FRP Advisory, have been approached for comment on the government funding announcement.

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