Wedgwood pauses production at Barlaston for 90 days amid weak demand

Wedgwood will halt production at its historic Barlaston factory for 90 days beginning Sept. 29, owner Fiskars Group said, putting 70 employees on temporary leave as it works to reduce elevated inventory caused by weaker consumer demand in some key markets.

Fiskars said the pause is temporary and that on-site experiences apart from factory tours will remain open. Factory tours at the World of Wedgwood visitor centre have been suspended; a notice on the site indicated tours will be paused until Jan. 5, while a Fiskars spokesperson described the suspension as lasting until "early January."

The Barlaston site produces high-end and bespoke designs, including handcrafted fine bone china and Jasperware, the 18th-century type of pottery developed by Wedgwood founder Josiah Wedgwood. Fiskars said skilled workers at Barlaston still employ techniques pioneered by the firm’s founder, and that the site and its local community are of "key importance" to both Fiskars Group and Wedgwood.

The temporary shutdown follows a period of softer consumer spending in several of Wedgwood’s key markets, the company said. Fiskars did not give a precise timetable for when full production would resume after the 90-day pause, stating the measure is intended to rebalance inventory levels with sales.

The move comes amid broader strain in Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry. Earlier this year three local firms—Royal Stafford, Moorcroft and Heraldic Pottery—collapsed, citing rising costs; Moorcroft was subsequently bought by the founder’s grandson. Pottery workers in the region have been campaigning for increased government support following those closures.

Local trade and manufacturing experts said the sector has faced a combination of higher energy and raw-material costs, shifting consumer preferences and fluctuating export demand. Wedgwood’s announcement highlights how established brands are adjusting production and inventory strategies in response to those market pressures.

Fiskars, which acquired Wedgwood in recent years, emphasized the temporary nature of the pause and reiterated its commitment to maintaining craft operations at Barlaston. The company said it will continue to engage with employees and the community during the shutdown period.

Wedgwood has been a longstanding name in British ceramics, and the Barlaston factory remains a locus for the brand’s premium and bespoke production. The company’s decision to suspend production for three months underscores the immediate operational steps some heritage manufacturers are taking to manage stock levels and align output with current demand patterns.