Denby Pottery, the iconic British homeware brand established in 1809, has announced it is no longer accepting online orders after entering administration earlier this year. The company, known for its distinctive Imperial Blue range and use of Derbyshire clay, entered administration in March, and its factory in Derbyshire closed in May, making over 120 staff redundant.
Website update and outlet stores remain open
A statement on the company's website reads: "It is with great sadness that, following Denby entering administration, our website is no longer accepting online orders. All orders that have already been placed will still be fulfilled, though we are experiencing longer wait times due to high demand. Our current lead time is 30-35 working days from the date of order." The statement adds that outlet stores remain open, offering savings of at least 50% across ranges while stocks last. Around 20 outlet sites are currently open across the UK.
History and financial challenges
Denby Pottery was founded in 1809 by William Bourne, who discovered the Derbyshire clay used in the company's ceramics. The brand became famous for its Imperial Blue range, launched in 1989. The company cited "enormous financial challenges" over the last three years, including reduced demand and escalating employment costs. The soaring price of energy, exacerbated by recent global conflicts, has hit the ceramics industry hard. According to the GMB, UK ceramics firms now pay £875 million a year in energy, an increase of more than £330 million since 2020.
Government support for ceramics industry
In May, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £120 million support package for the ceramics industry in response to rising industrial energy costs driven by the Middle East conflict. The funding is part of a larger initiative to cut electricity bills for energy-intensive manufacturers, such as ceramics and steel, aiming to help firms modernise, decarbonise, and reduce reliance on gas-fired kilns.
