Denby Pottery: 49 redundancies announced as manufacturing stops at renowned Derbyshire pottery company
Manufacturing at renowned Derbyshire pottery company Denby is set to end – with more redundancies announced.
Historic Derbyshire ceramics firm Denby, which was launched in 1809, is set to see its production come to an end after two centuries of trading.
The news comes after the firm entered administration on March 31 following financial struggles which bosses blamed on increasing energy prices and employment costs, as well as reduced demand for its products.
FRP Advisory, who were appointed as administrators for the company, said they needed to make a “difficult” decision to close the business as it was not possible to find a buyer to take over the ceramics firm.
As manufacturing is set to end, further 49 redundancies were announced.
Linsey Farnsworth, Labour MP for Amber Valley, who has been campaigning to save Denby since the company announced its financial struggles in March, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of further redundancies at Denby Pottery. My heart goes out to every worker and family affected by this difficult news.”
Speaking at the House of Commons on Thursday morning, Linsey Farnsworth called on the Government to support the ceramics industry.
She added: “I stood up in Parliament again this morning to demand an end to the "wait and see" approach.
"Another 49 families are facing redundancy and while Ministers repeat the same messages, our historic ceramics industry is running out of time.
“I challenged the Cabinet Office Minister today on why Ceramics has been left out of the new Public Procurement rules.
"It is simply not good enough that our makers are excluded while other sectors are protected.
“While I welcome the Minister’s words, my message remains clear: We cannot afford to wait. I am pushing every door in Westminster to make this happen.
"I am proud to be part of this Government, but I will not sit quietly while our heritage and our jobs are at risk. I am taking this fight to the very top.”
Last month a petition calling to include Denby, and other companies across the ceramics sector, in the government’s Supercharger Scheme was launched.
The Supercharger Scheme, launched in April 2024, is a relief package reducing electricity costs for energy-intensive industries such as steel and glass, but does not include the ceramics industry.
The petition, which can be found on the Government website, has already gained over 50 000 signatures – and will be considered by Parliament if it reaches 100 000 before October.