Potteries at risk over funding shortfall

Portmeirion’s chief executive, Michael Scheepers, has cautioned that additional potteries face closure unless Andy Burnham delivers on the pledged £120 million support. Scheepers highlighted recent sector collapses, including Denby’s 217-year history ending in March with 600 job losses. He urged action to sustain British manufacturing, emphasizing the need for government commitment to prevent further industry decline.

Scheepers’ warning comes as the sector struggles with spiralling UK energy prices, tax hikes, and increases to the minimum wage. He is among those calling for more ceramic companies to be included in the British Industrial Supercharger scheme, which provides relief on electricity bills and green levies. Currently, only 10 per cent of Britain’s 100 potteries qualify for a refund.

In May, the previous administration announced a £120million support package for the ceramics industry. However, the details of the package have yet to be confirmed, leaving businesses like Portmeirion uncertain about their future. Scheepers has warned that more firms could go to the wall if the Government does not deliver on its promises.

In September, Andy Burnham said he would be a ‘staunch defender of the Potteries’ and recognised the importance of the ceramics industry. However, Scheepers described this as a ‘galling statement’, saying that the Prime Minister needs to ‘put his money where his mouth is’ and deliver on his promises.

Businesses in the ceramics industry are struggling with high energy costs and red tape around hiring young people. Portmeirion’s apprenticeship academy, which would usually hire around ten people a year, was not run last year due to the complexity and expense of the scheme. Scheepers said that his company would love to involve more apprentices in their business, but it has become prohibitively expensive.

The high costs of energy are also putting British businesses at a significant disadvantage as they try to adopt cleaner technology. Scheepers added that there is not an unwillingness to adopt new technology, but rather a need for support to help the industry modernise and stay competitive.

A Government spokesman said that the ceramics industry is an important part of the UK’s industrial story and that the £120 million fund is a key part of their plan to reindustrialise the UK. The spokesman added that more information about which companies are eligible and how they can apply for the fund will be released before the end of the year.

Scheepers has also sent a letter to the Prime Minister, inviting him to tour his factory and see first-hand the craftsmanship and skills of the industry. He warned that without urgent action, Britain risks losing more heritage brands from the ceramics sector, as well as the industrial jobs that sustain communities like Stoke-on-Trent.

Historic England notes that there were 200 factories in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1970s, compared to around 30 today. The decline of the industry has had a significant impact on the local community, and Scheepers’ warning highlights the need for support to help the sector recover and thrive.