Denby boss 'moving heaven and earth' to save firm

Renowned pottery firm Denby faces a low chance of survival unless investors can be found, according to the company's CEO.

The 217-year-old business filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators last week, citing rising energy and employment costs.

Sebastian Lazell said 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".

He also called on the government to extend an existing energy cost support scheme, the British Industry Supercharger, to the ceramics industry as soon as possible.

"This is urgent and cannot wait for a long-time solution," he said.

"It's important for government to recognise this is about now, not about some time next year.

"It won't make the difference in cash terms immediately, but what it does change is investor confidence."

In a statement last Thursday, The Denby Group said "escalating" employment costs and "soaring" energy costs had "squeezed the business financially".

Lazell said rising energy costs in particular started with the war in Ukraine, and had been exacerbated by the recent conflict in the Middle East.

Denby has three large gas-fired kilns that operate 24/7 to produce its pottery.

Figures shared with the BBC showed the company's annual energy costs used to be about £1.25m before 2022, but have since increased to between £2.5m and £3m.

Denby, headquartered in Derbyshire, currently employs 600 people.

The company said its employees were all working as normal at the moment, but Lazell said he could not rule out lay-offs if the company fell into administration.

"It's incredibly uncertain, and probably a really frustrating answer, but it becomes an administrator's decision, not mine," he said.

"It's very difficult to give people any certainty in a situation which is, by definition, inherently uncertain, apart from saying everyone is trying as hard as they can to find solutions.

"Our employees are feeling desperately concerned and we are all feeling for them... but where there's a will there's a way."

He said the company would be immediately launching a campaign called #SaveDenby.

This would have four elements, he said, which included raising awareness of the financial challenges, lobbying government, encouraging more purchases, and encouraging more visits to the pottery village.

"We've been here 217 years, we need to do the next 217 years," Lazell added.

A government spokesperson said regular meetings were held with industry trade association Ceramics UK and trade unions.

The spokesperson added: "We know this will be a difficult time for Denby workers and their families and recognise the challenges potteries and ceramics businesses across the country face."

They said details on eligibility for a different scheme which reduces electricity costs, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, would be published shortly.

"[This] will reduce electricity bills by up to 25% for over 7,000 manufacturing businesses," the spokesperson added.

Last week, the government also said it was reviewing the eligibility of its Supercharger scheme, which was the scheme Lazell said needed to be extended.

Additional reporting by BBC Radio Derby's Becky Measures

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