Darwen Terracotta goes from strength to strength

A year on from saving more than 30 skilled jobs, Darwen Terracotta and Faience reports it has smashed its original £1.3m turnover target.

Projects going through the works now include Wigan Town Hall, Harrods, the Windmill Theatre in Soho and a new-build commercial development in Clerkenwell. To meet demand the company have secured a grant from regenerate Pennine Lancashire that will help build a second kiln to increase capacity and flexibility.

The new directors believed there was potential to create a new company to fill the gap in the market and then set about developing a business plan, finding financial backing, locating suitable premises, sourcing key plant items, while keeping in touch with former colleagues.

"We were encouraged to enter the local Hive Business Awards and were delighted to win in the new business category. University students have also toured our facility so we are playing our part in inspiring the next generation too,” explained Steve Allen.

Architectural terracotta and faience provides a backdrop to urban living and every town has numerous civic, religious, commercial and cultural buildings that use these materials. Restoration of this heritage is a huge market. Importantly, there is a surge in new interest from modern architects keen to reinterpret and incorporate these elegant and adaptive traditional materials into new build. Previously, the team even worked with FAT Architecture and renowned artist Grayson Perry on the House for Essex project.