‘Our industry is being ignored’: Portmeirion bosses and staff discuss challenges facing the ceramics industry and its enduring Stoke-on-Trent legacy
By Liana Snape 30th Apr 2026
Among growing uncertainty in the British ceramics industry, bosses and staff at Portmeirion have discussed the challenges faced by the sector and its continued importance to Stoke-on-Trent's heritage and identity.
It comes after, Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, criticised the government's new British Industrial Competitive Scheme (BICS) for excluding most ceramic manufacturers, earlier this month.
Additionally, Derbyshire-based pottery firm Denby announced that it had appointed administrators in March this year.
At Stoke-on-Trent-based Portmeirion, bosses and staff have called for more support to protect an industry rooted in the city's heritage.
Mike Raybould, CEO of Portmeirion Group, said: "The energy cost in this country is so much higher than the rest of the world.
"Other industries in the country are getting support now, doing things like the supercharger scheme, but our industry is being ignored, and I think it's a giant mistake."
Mike added: "We are very lucky in our organization to have brands with so much history and heritage that are loved around the world, but we do need some help because we're not competing with a level playing field."
Portmeirion Group PLC consists of a portfolio of six brands including Spode, the Stoke-based pottery company established by Josiah Spode in 1770.
"The products that we make and the brands we have, like Spode, are sold all around the world," Mike explained.
"Those products are loved and they're respected for the high quality, the incredible designs and the heritage that we have.
"So, it's important to everybody else in the world that we continue to manufacture here in Stoke-on-Trent.
"We just wish that the UK government would see it the same way."
Ian Martin, Production Director at Portmeirion, explained that local ceramics workers are "incredibly concerned" about the future of the ceramics industry due to the current cost of energy.
The ceramics sector is gas-intensive meaning that it is hit hard by rising gas costs.
Ian, who has worked in the ceramics industry since 1998, said: "Before it's too late, we need to do something to save [the pottery industry], and we need help to save it."
He also explained that the craftsmanship and skill involved in modern ceramics production is often overlooked.
Ian said: "Modern pottery production is the skill of people and the techniques that they use.
"The consumer tends to say, 'Oh, it's just a cup, it's just a plate'.
"They don't realise the craftsmanship has gone into that plate from the beginning to the very end, and what heartache, pain, and passion goes into every piece."
Gail Barlow, a Portmeirion employee, has been a lithographer since she left school - 41 years ago.
Lithography is a skilled method of printing that is used in the ceramics industry to transfer images onto pottery.
Gail, who has worked at Portmeirion for 12 years, said: "As employees, we're actually quite nervous."
She said that she would still encourage young people to enter the ceramics industry "if they like creativity, have a good work ethic and want the satisfaction of producing something that goes worldwide."
However, she also identified barriers preventing young people from entering the sector.
Gail added: "The huge rising costs in energy is absolutely killing the pottery industry, there's a lack of apprenticeships, and job insecurity, and I think we're all feeling that."
She added: "Portmeirion, for me, is one of the leading major players. It has a great heritage and its name is recognised worldwide for being one of the best.
"I'm so proud to be a part of that history.
"The Potteries is Stoke-on-Trent and I'm saying to the government, please don't let it go."
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