Denby Pottery Chain Puts 25 UK Stores at Risk of Closure Amid Financial Crisis
The future of one of Britain's oldest pottery manufacturers hangs in the balance as the Denby Group takes its first steps towards administration, placing 25 of its retail stores across the United Kingdom at immediate risk of closure.
Chief executive Sebastian Lazell has confirmed that the 217-year-old firm lodged a formal notice of intent to appoint administrators last week, marking a critical moment in the company's fight for survival.
Financial Pressure Mounts on Historic Business
In a statement issued last Thursday, Denby cited "escalating" employment costs combined with "soaring" energy expenses as the primary factors that have "squeezed the business financially" to breaking point.
Lazell told journalists he was "trying to move heaven and earth" to rescue the historic business, but cautioned that there may not "be a happy ending" for the Derbyshire-based company that currently employs 600 people.
Government Support Urgently Needed
The Denby chief executive has made an urgent appeal to ministers to extend the British Industry Supercharger scheme to cover ceramics manufacturers without delay.
"This is urgent and cannot wait for a long-time solution," Lazell emphasized, highlighting the immediate need for government intervention to support energy-intensive industries like pottery manufacturing.
Full List of Stores at Risk
The 25 Denby Group locations facing potential closure include:
- Core outlet stores: Antrim (The Junction Retail & Leisure Park), Ashford (Designer Outlet Ashford), Banbridge (The Boulevard), Braintree (Freeport Braintree), Castleford (Junction 32), Cheshire Oaks (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet), Cotswolds (Cotswolds Designer Outlet), Dalton Park (County Durham), East Midlands (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet), Gloucester (Gloucester Quays), Gretna (Caledonia Park), Livingston (Livingston Designer Outlet), Portsmouth (Gunwharf Quays), Peak Village (Derbyshire), Spalding (Springfields Outlet), Street (Clarks Village), Swindon (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet), Trentham (Trentham Shopping Village), York (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet)
- Flagship/factory location: Denby Pottery Village (Derbyshire)
- Partner retail locations: Colne – Boundary Mills, Rotherham – Boundary Mills, Shiremoor – Boundary Mills, Walsall – Boundary Mills, Dartington – Dartington Crystal Visitor Centre
Employee Uncertainty and Potential Layoffs
While Denby has confirmed that all 600 employees are currently working as normal, Lazell acknowledged he could not rule out layoffs if the company ultimately falls into administration.
The chief executive reiterated his determination to save the business while maintaining a realistic outlook about the challenges ahead, repeating his earlier statement about "trying to move heaven and earth" to secure Denby's future.
This development represents a significant blow to Britain's manufacturing heritage and retail landscape, with the potential closure affecting communities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland where Denby stores are located.
