Christopher Bailey leads rescue of Burleigh Pottery

Christopher Bailey, the fashion designer who turned Burberry into a global brand, has acquired the Stoke-on-Trent company Burleigh Pottery along with a small group of private investors. The ceramics company, founded in 1851 and best known for its intricate floral designs, said Bailey’s investment would ensure that production of its cups, saucers and plates could continue without interruption at the city’s Middleport Pottery site.

The company’s future had been called into question after its parent company, Derbyshire-based Denby, established in 1809, called in administrators in March after struggling with rising energy and labour costs. Manufacturing was stopped the following month, when workers were made redundant.

Burleigh said none of its 62-strong staff had been made redundant following Denby’s collapse. The value of the deal to save the company has not been made public.

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