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Denby flagship store closes its doors for final time

Georgia RobertsDerby political reporter
BBC Empty shop floor with empty shelves at the side and sale signs BBC
The lower floor of the shop was almost completely empty of stock on Saturday morning. The store was due to shut at noon

Denby Pottery's flagship store in Derbyshire has closed its doors for the last time, alongside all the iconic brand's remaining sites.

On Saturday morning, customers were seen queuing for a final closing down sale, with large parts of the shop now completely empty of stock.

Founded in 1809, the ceramics company appointed administrators in March after two centuries in business following struggles with rising energy and labour costs.

A source close to administrators FRP Advisory said the response from the public had been "phenomenal" with much higher footfall and sales of stock than expected in its final weeks of trading.

People queuing outside a shop with sale signs outside
People queuing outside the shop for the final closing down sale this weekend

Its stores in Ashford, Braintree, Castleford, Cheshire Oaks, Dalton Park, Denby, Portsmouth and York have also closed.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Denby Pottery brand "will continue under new ownership".

The administrators said that a buyer had been found for the brand, though they have yet to be named.

Other media outlets previously reported Home Bargains was looking to buy the historic pottery brand.

Rows of empty shelves and a large sale signin that says 'everything must go' on one shelf
A source close to the administrators said stock had shifted much faster than expected in the iconic brand's final days of trading

Tony Wright, joint administrator of the Denby group of companies and partner at FRP Advisory, had asked the brand's supporters to give the Derbyshire site "the send-off it deserves" this weekend.

He said: "It's undoubtedly a sad moment to see the Pottery Village close after so many years as the home of this much-loved British brand.

"We wanted to give shoppers and Denby enthusiasts the chance to visit one final time and take home a piece of its heritage.

"While the stores are closing, the Denby brand itself will continue under new ownership, ensuring its legacy lives on."

A pottery company built of red brick with small windows and the sign "Denby Pottery"
Administrators could not find a buyer for the company in March but the brand's "legacy" will continue under a new owner

The GMB union has called the closure of the Pottery Village "a tragedy for Derbyshire".

"At the end of the day, if it's not made in Britain, is it really Denby? The new owner of the Denby brand must ask themselves this question."

International subsidiaries of Denby in Korea, the US and China are not in administration and will continue to operate as normal.

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