Denby

Denby was founded by William Bourne in 1809 in Denby, Derbyshire. Production initially focused on utilitarian salt-glazed stoneware, with kitchenware becoming more important from the end of the 19th century. During the early 20th century, the production of decorative wares expanded with the introduction of new glazes and the employment of designers. New ‘art pottery’ ranges included ‘Danesby Ware’ of the 1920s, and ‘Electric Blue’ and ‘Orient Ware’ of the 1930s.

In 1950, after the arrival of Glyn Colledge, the hand-decorated Danesby Ware was renamed ‘Glyn Ware’ in his honour.

The business went from strength to strength in the aftermath of the Second World War and they went on to buy Lovatt’s Potteries Ltd in 1959, which they continued to run as a separate entity.

Denby was eventually taken over by the Coloroll Group in 1987, which subsequently collapsed in 1989. Fortunately, Denby was saved by a management buyout and floated in 1994.

A second management buyout in its bicentenary year (2009) helped the Denby Group remain in business and later acquire brands such as Burleigh Pottery, Hartley Greens Pottery and Poole Pottery.