£120 million to Save Stoke's Ceramics

Plus new Mayor for the city, masterplan unveiled for Keele Innovation District, cool woodcarvings outside Stoke Minster, and Longton Exchange opens tourist info point

May 25, 2026

Today, The Knot is brought to you by Hanley Economic Building Society, which offers mortgages, savings accounts including ISAs, insurance, and more

Good News 🎉

🏺 Boost for Ceramics Industry. After much lobbying by local MPs and the council, the government has announced a £120 million industry support package, with £60 million for energy-efficiency and decarbonisation projects and £60 million for operational cost support for ceramics manufacturers. After an independent report commissioned by the council highlighted how ceramics is driving innovation across the UK and is a vital component of key “future-facing” industries like aerospace, defence, clean energy and electronics, advanced ceramics firms such as Lucideon, IPS Ceramics, and Mantec Technical Ceramics alongside tableware brands like Moorcroft, Emma Bridgewater, Burleigh, and Steelite can all apply for the funding.

Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (middle), with MP for Stoke Central Gareth Snell at the Emma Bridgewater factory

🎖️ THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Stoke’s New Mayor, Joan Bell 🎖️

Taking over from Cllr Steve Watkins, the new Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Joan Bell, was officially appointed on 21/05 after first being elected to the city council almost 40 years ago. She wants to focus on dementia during her year-long term, stating, “We need to create places in every ward in our city where people affected by dementia can be helped and supported.” She will support several charities, including Marrow House in Meir Hay and the services provided by Dougie Mac.

Cllr Joan Bell became Mayor for Stoke-on-Trent last week and has pledged to support those affected by dementia during her year in office

💷 Spring Clean Your Finances. If it’s been a while since you reviewed your savings, mortgage, or everyday banking, now is a good opportunity to take a closer look with Hanley Economic Building Society. Pop in and have a chat with the team about your options, whether that’s making your savings work harder, reviewing your plans, or simply getting a better understanding of what’s available to you. You can book a free savings appointment at your local branch.

Get your finances in order with Hanley Economic Building Society

🌇 Innovation’s Afoot in Keele. The masterplan for Keele Innovation District was presented this week at the UK’s largest development and place-making event, the Real Estate and Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds. A major expansion of Keele’s Science & Innovation Park is set to support 13,000 jobs and contribute £1 billion to the local economy and will see the existing footprint expanded into a neighbouring site as part of a wider mixed-use district. It’s estimated it will take between 20-25 years to be fully completed, but the first phase of the project is due to get started within the next two to three years. In other Keele news, the uni opened an insectary last week, a major new insect research facility that’s set to transform efforts to combat deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue.

An artist’s impression of Keele Innovation District. Work on the first phase is due to begin in the next two to three years

🪵 We Love These Wood Carvings. Now, here’s a feast for the eyes. Carver, woodsmith, and twig twister Anthony Hammond’s latest work in the city is a new wildlife-themed bench in the grounds of Stoke Minster as part of a new woodland walk. It forms part of B-Arts’ Pockets of Paradise project, funded through the Stoke High Street Accelerator programme, and is being led by Festival Stoke. We can’t wait to drop by and see how it’s shaping up next time we’re in Stoke town centre!

Wood carver Anthony Hammond with his wildlife-themed bench at Stoke Minster

💁‍♀️ Longton Exchange Opens Tourist Info. It’s actually the only one in the city (could they be preparing for the UK Town of Culture 2028 bid, we’re wondering?) but, anyway, it’s a fab idea and officially launches today. The new information point will help both visitors and us locals discover more of what Longton, Stoke, and Staffs have to offer, from heritage and events to shopping, food & drink, and community activities. Want your leaflets, brochures, or visitor information displayed in this new space? Drop them a message.

The city’s only tourist information point opens today in Longton

🥨 A word from Helen, editor/writer at The Knot

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth was among the local politicians lobbying the chancellor for a lifeline to save the city’s struggling ceramics industry, which has been battered by spiralling energy costs and cheap imports. Trade body Ceramics UK said the £120 million package would help safeguard jobs and support the sector’s transition to a more sustainable future.

For some firms, however, support has come too late. Historic names such as Royal Stafford have already closed, while the future of Burleigh remains uncertain after its Derby-based owner Denby entered administration earlier this year.

Ashworth is keen to stress that ceramics is about far more than tableware. She describes it as a vital foundation industry with applications spanning medical technology, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Penkhull and Stone-based Lucideon, for example, develops and tests advanced ceramic materials for jet engine coatings and medical bioceramics. Meanwhile, Mantec Technical Ceramics in Longton produces technical ceramics designed for harsh industrial environments, including filtration, thermal processing, and other high-performance engineering applications.

Exactly how the support package will operate remains unclear, with the detailed application process still being developed alongside industry bodies including Ceramics UK. However, firms are expected to be able to apply for grants to modernise kilns, invest in lower-carbon manufacturing systems, install heat recovery technology and support electrification projects.

Which companies and brands do you think most deserve support? Let us know in the comments below.

Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week

🗞️ The Knot Joins The Lead Network: We’ll be doing the same positive coverage of Stoke and Staffs and the what’s on, along with some more hard-hitting journalism…
🎸 Bank Holiday at Lymelight Festival: Did you go? Was it good? Tell us below!
🍽️ Dining, Faulty Towers Style: You can eat with Basil, Sybil and Manuel on 04/06 & 05/6 at DoubleTree by Hilton before enjoying a two-hour interactive experience

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