NEWS f~osses di~cuss how to promote city's ceramics VISIT: Lord Mayor of London David Wootton is presented with a specially-made vase by Moorcroft designer Emma Bosson before being shown around Middleport Pottery by the general manager of Burleigh Paul Deighton, right. Pictures: Malcolm Hart Mayor helps map out poHery future BY LOUISE PSYLLIDES formulate an action plan to deliver effect tions to the area he regularly hands out
[email protected] ive change for the future. specially-designed Emma Bridgewater "In 1984 there were 66 major ceramics · mugs to guests after Stoke-on-Trent Cent CERAMIC industry leaders met the Lord firms here employing 30,000 people, and ral MP Tristram Hunt put him in touch Mayor of London to discuss how the in 2011 there were 33 employing 8,000. with the firm. Potteries can be promoted all over the "Challenges include the rising cost of He said: "Because of the peculiar world. energy and point of origin marking but nature of the City of London my role is as David Wootton, whose father was born despite all this the Potteries is still much about business as civic respons in Smallthorne, joined representat alive and well with many com ibility. "But I am much more a promoter ives from companies across the city panies continuing to thrive. of UK business as a whole than just one at the Potters Club, in Stoke, yes "While not all manufacturers sector. terday. are producing exclusively in this "I'm very interested to promote Stoke Kevin Oakes, pictured, chief country many are and produc on-Trent as part of the UK economy; and executive of Middleport tableware tion is beginning to return to I'm here to collect messages I can use in manufacturer Steelite, who chaired these shores and to this city." addressing audiences both in the UK and the discussion, said: "This is a Mr Wootton promised to visit abroad.