City ceramic companies are to unite at a prestigious London exhibition to showcase business opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent to leading retailers.
‘Ceramics, designed and made in Stoke-on-Trent, England’ will be exhibiting at retail trade fair Top Drawer from Sunday, 15 January, at Earls Court, in London.
The group of 10 small ceramic enterprises is being supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Ceramic Industry Forum (CIF) in promoting business opportunities both for the companies themselves and the city.
Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-On-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “Top Drawer showcases more than 700 British and International suppliers and is a great opportunity to put Stoke-on-Trent ceramic companies on the map. By forming one united stand as ‘Ceramics designed and made in Stoke-on-Trent, England’ local businesses are not only able to act as ambassadors and promote the city but also gain business opportunities for themselves. It is an excellent example of how the city council, as part of the Mandate for Change, is working with companies and partners such as Ceramic Industry Forum to boost business in the city.”
Top Drawer is a retail trade fair which is attended by leading retailers such as Selfridges, Harrods and John Lewis looking to buy in new lines and source products. The event not only provides companies exhibiting with business opportunities but also provides businesses with the opportunity to gain bespoke retail advice to support development.
The 10 ceramic companies, which will be exhibiting, put themselves forward following a request to Ceramic Industry Forum small businesses.
Philippa Simpson, Sales and Marketing Manager, Caverswall China said: “This is a great opportunity that as a business we just couldn’t ignore. It is great to be able to unite as city businesses and means that we are able to push our products to some of the biggest names in the industry.
Some of the other ceramic companies exhibiting as part of the consortium include Hudsons of England Ltd, Blaize Ceramics, Heron Cross Pottery and Denise O’Sullivan.
Sue Evans of the Ceramic Industry Forum, said: “We are beginning to see a real resurgence of interest in British products amongst retailers and we are confident that the ceramic offer we are taking to Top Drawer will be very positively received by retail buyers.”
Research carried out at Top Drawer in autumn 2010 by independent surveyors DKH reports that 81per cent of retailers that visit sign orders before they leave the show and 79per cent of visitors are looking for new ranges which they find at Top Drawer.
Stoke-on-Trent has an abundance of ceramic connections and as the World Capital of Ceramics is home to numerous ceramic based businesses. The city also lays claim to many renowned leading brands such as Steelite International Ltd, Dudsons Ltd, Moorcroft, Emma Bridgewater and Portmeirion.