Home Bargains eyes takeover of historic pottery brand after collapse

It remains unclear whether a deal is close to being agreed or if rival bidders are also actively pursuing a takeover, according to Sky News.

The sales process is being handled by insolvency specialists at FRP Advisory, with reports suggesting several other homewares retailers have also expressed interest in recent weeks.

Home Bargains, which is controlled by the Morris family through holding company TJ Morris, has become one of Britain’s largest retail chains and has previously outlined ambitions to expand its estate to 1,000 stores nationwide.

Denby Pottery traces its origins back to 1809 when founder William Bourne established the business in Derbyshire, giving the company a heritage spanning more than two centuries before its collapse earlier this year.

The company entered administration at the end of March after citing rising operating costs and weaker consumer spending as key factors behind its financial difficulties.

Denby manufactured tableware and household products using Derbyshire clay at the same site in the village of Denby where production first began more than 200 years ago.

Manufacturing operations ceased in April, leading to substantial job losses across the business.

More than 130 employees were made redundant following the shutdown of production facilities.

The company previously employed more than 500 staff and ranked among the largest employers in Amber Valley, Derbyshire.

Denby also owns the Burleigh pottery brand, which was rescued in 2010 with £9million in support linked to the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles, to help fund emergency repairs at Middleport Pottery.

The package includes £60million to support investment in energy-efficient equipment and long-term sustainability measures, alongside a further £60million intended to help businesses manage operational costs.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said the funding was designed to protect jobs while helping companies secure their long-term future.

Mr Kyle said: "I want these companies to not just be thinking about the immediate trading environment that they're in today."

Referring to high energy costs facing manufacturers, he added: "I want them to think about the future so this can be a pathway to long-term sustainable businesses that are highly profitable into the future, to bring back the sense of security that ceramics once had."

Mr Kyle also said he wanted to avoid further factory closures which could leave lasting economic damage on local communities connected to the ceramics industry.

Former Denby workers have questioned whether the support package arrived too late to save the company from collapse.

Former pottery tutor Fran Cutmore, who lost her job on March 31, said: "I'm a bit sad about it to be honest, I feel like it's too little too late really isn't it, particularly for Denby."

Ms Cutmore estimated that Denby alone may have required around half of the £120million support package in order to remain financially viable.

Former employee Shaun Walters, who worked for the company for 42 years before losing his role, also welcomed support for the wider industry while acknowledging it came too late for Denby itself.

Mr Walters described the funding announcement as "a bit late for Denby but very welcome news for the industry".

Labour MP Linsey Farnsworth said the Government support package could still improve Denby’s prospects by making the business more attractive to future investors.

GB News has contacted Home Bargains and FRP Advisory for comment.