SuppliedDenby said reduced demand and rising costs had "squeezed the business financially"Renowned pottery firm Denby has appointed administrators after it said it had struggled with rising costs in recent years.
The Derbyshire-based company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators "as a precautionary measure" on 11 March.
The legal document protects a company from creditors for a short period, initially 10 business days, to either find a buyer, find an administrator, or enter liquidation.
The 217-year-old firm secured an extension, giving it a new deadline of 8 April to secure its future. However, on Tuesday, it said it had taken "the necessary step" of appointing administrators.
Earlier in March, the firm said reduced demand, "escalating" employment costs and "soaring" energy costs had "squeezed the business financially".
And Denby's CEO Sebastian Lazell previously told the BBC he was "trying to move heaven and earth" to save the business, but added he had to be realistic that there may not "be a happy ending".
The firm's CEO Sebastian Lazell previously said he was "trying to move heaven and earth" to save DenbyHis comments coincided with the launch of a #SaveDenby campaign, which encouraged people to buy more products and lobby government to provide support.
In a statement issued by the firm announcing it had appointed administrators, it said the campaign had secured "unprecedented engagement" to help keep the business operating.
It added: "The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and deeply moving and the company would like to thank the public for sharing, commenting, lobbying and buying as part of its #SaveDenby campaign.
"But unfortunately, and despite Denby's enduring global appeal and positive recent momentum, the business has not yet been able to secure investment partners to take the business forward and therefore has today taken the necessary step of appointing FRP Advisory as administrators effective from 31 March 2026. The same is true for Burgess and Leigh LTD.
"The business will now commence trading in administration managed by FRP Advisory as they seek to continue discussions with interested parties regarding a sale of some or all of the business and its brands."
The firm will continue to "service orders" placed online and through its stores as normal, the statement added.
International subsidiaries of Denby in Korea, the USA and China are not in administration and will continue to operate as normal.
'A dark day'
The company employs a total of 600 people in the UK.
This includes 358 employees at its main headquarters located between Denby and Ripley, as well as 43 employees at its warehouse in Derby.
The firm acquired pottery company Burgess and Leigh Ltd in 2010, which is also known as Burleigh.
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she was working closely with Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth to make a case for intervention from the government.
She said: "We want to save this really important part of our heritage, it is over 200 years old, but also because it is an important part of our manufacturing and tourism in this region."
In a statement posted on Facebook, Farnsworth said: "While today is a dark day, the formal move into administration is a protective step aimed at keeping the kilns firing while a long-term investor is sought.
"My focus remains firmly on the future of this iconic brand and the livelihoods of the workforce."
Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
More on this story
