DENBY POTTERY SIGNS FINAL PIECE AS PRODUCTION ENDS AFTER 216 YEARS

Denby Pottery has produced its final piece, a bowl finished in the company's Imperial Blue glaze, which was signed by Richard Eaton, the designer who created the range more than 35 years ago. The Derbyshire-based firm, founded in 1809, appointed administrators on 31 March after citing rising energy and labour costs. A #SaveDenby campaign encouraged customers to purchase more products, but administrators confirmed they were unable to find a buyer. Production has now ceased entirely at the Denby site.

The company attributed its closure to reduced demand, escalating employment costs, and soaring energy costs, which it said had placed severe financial pressure on the business. A petition titled "support the ceramics industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills" has gathered more than 105,000 signatures, passing the threshold required for the matter to be considered for a parliamentary debate. Linsey Farnsworth, Labour MP for Amber Valley, said she had promised to fight for Denby Pottery until the very last moment. The company thanked its workers and customers in a statement, acknowledging that generations of skilled employees had sustained the business throughout its history.

Denby's international subsidiaries in South Korea, the United States, and China are not in administration and will continue to operate. The parliamentary petition now qualifies for consideration of a debate in the House of Commons. The closure marks the end of over two centuries of pottery production at the Derbyshire site. Denby said in its final statement that the love and soul poured into each piece would live on.