Stoke-on-Trent is to announce itself as the “World Capital of Ceramics”, at an event on Thursday, October 15.
Ceramic industry figures will unite at the Roslyn Works, in Longton, during the launch of a major independent study into the future of ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent. They will say that Stoke-on-Trent has the right to describe itself as the World Capital of Ceramics because it has the world’s greatest mix of:
Ceramic heritage
Ceramic skills and expertise
Breadth and depth of ceramic manufacturing capability
Ceramics research and development
World renowned ceramic brands
Ceramics design and creativity
The announcement comes during the first ever British Ceramics Biennial - the UK’s only festival to celebrate, showcase and support the country’s breadth of contemporary ceramics. The festival, which has displays based in the Roslyn Works, is at the heart of the announcement as the city plays host to a 10 week festival of exhibitions, awards and events by artists such as international designer Jaime Hayon.
Matthew Rice, managing director of Emma Bridgewater, said: “Stoke-on-Trent is and always will be the ceramic capital of the world and there is no other place to match it. From Josiah Wedgwood and Spode, to the art students of today, the fertile clays of this city have generated an extraordinary crop of creative geniuses.”
The Growing the Ceramic Cluster in North Staffordshire report, by leading economic and social development consultants SQW, analyses the current state of the industry, looking at the skills and capability in Stoke-on-Trent. The report, commissioned by the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership, also provides a series of actions to reinforce and strengthen the industry over the coming decade.
Speaking at the launch of the study will be some of the world’s leading names in ceramics.
Suggestions in the report include:
Establishing a centre for enterprise and innovation in ceramics
Establishing a ceramic industry skills academy for North Staffordshire
Implementing a ceramic visitor economy development programme
Establishing an enhanced governance mechanism for the future development of the city’s ceramic cluster
Laura Cohen, chief executive of the British Ceramics Confederation, said: “Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area has a very large number of firms making a tremendous variety of manufactured ceramic products including tableware and giftware, bricks, tiles, bathroom furniture, technical and refractory ceramics and ceramic material suppliers including some world-famous companies. This is a well deserved title for the city.”
Ian Dudson, Chairman of Dudson Ltd, said: “Dudson has a long family tradition with the city stretching back well over 200 years. Stoke-on-Trent’s ability to involve ceramics as a key component in regeneration is only possible because of the unique blend of experience, skills, design talent and technological innovation which exists in this city.”
Henriette Lyttle, partnerships director for Advantage West Midlands said: “Advantage West Midlands recognises the importance of the ceramics industry to North Staffordshire and welcomes these positive messages. We will continue to work with the innovative ceramic companies that have a key role to play in the future of the sub-region, helping to make the economy of North Staffordshire stronger and more sustainable.”
Councillor Hazel Lyth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: “Stoke-on-Trent has a wealth of creativity and expertise in the ceramic industry. We have world renowned brands based here in the city as well as some of the leading new innovative companies. As a city we understand that to succeed we need not only to recognise our longstanding heritage but also to diversify and look to the future of the ceramic industry – something we do very well here. At the moment the city is celebrating the first British Ceramics Biennial which is focusing on contemporary ceramics and putting the city on the world stage. It seems only fitting that at this time we recognise Stoke-on-Trent as the World Capital of Ceramics.”
Stoke-on-Trent is home to more than 350 ceramic businesses including Wades, Wedgwood, Steelite, Johnson Tiles, Portmeirion and Aynsley. 32 per cent of the Uk’s ceramic employers and 60 per cent of employees are based in North Staffordshire. Staffordshire University’s Master of Arts in Ceramic Design is recognised as one of the leading postgraduate programmes worldwide for its work in ceramic design for manufacture. Keele University’s Science Park is home to world-leading ceramics technologies and companies including BioComposites, who manufacture ceramic prosthetics.