A historic fine dining venue in Stoke-on-Trent has become the latest casualty in the struggling hospitality industry.
The Potters’ Club in Stoke has announced its immediate closure with the loss of 10 full- and part-time jobs, blaming market conditions in recent years and the ongoing roadworks on Station Road right outside its base within Federation House.
The club was established in 1951 by the British Pottery Manufacturers’ Federation and within its HQ to provide facilities for the directors of local pottery companies to entertain their guests.
It was known for its quality food and has hosted many Royal and other VIP visitors from home and overseas over the years.
A statement on its website said the club was ‘deeply saddened’ to make the announcement but it had been put in an ‘untenable position’.
A move to an alternative venue has not been ruled out.
The closure comes just days after multi-million-pound Beauty and the Bistro, in Basford, went into liquidation. The venue, which was due to open its beauty quarters in Spring, had a six-year journey to open before welcoming diners for the first time in November.
And in just over two weeks ago, Daily Focus reported that chef Cris Cohen’s Feasted business and Chef’s Table dining experience, in Stoke-on-Trent, was also to close.
Dr Mary McCarthy, Chairman of The Potters’ Club, said: “We have put our heart and soul into finding ways to keep the Club at Federation House open.
“Since the pandemic, we have introduced numerous initiatives to increase membership and visitor numbers, but, like many other high-end venues and star chefs’ restaurants, market forces that are particularly hitting the hospitality industry have challenged us time and again, and we have now reached the point where we cannot continue at our current location.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to the board who have spent the last eight months tirelessly working to secure another venue that we were hoping we could move the Club to, but due to circumstances beyond our control this sadly is not something we could achieve.
“The roadworks on Station Road have put the final nail in our coffin, causing visitor numbers to drop dramatically, meaning that we have been forced to close our doors, although we are still working hard to find an alternative venue to keep the Potters’ Club in the city in the coming weeks.
“We want to thank all our loyal members and our dedicated team for their support over the years – this is a very sad day for us all.”
Major work on the area around Stoke Station, close to The Potters’ Club base, has been ongoing for several months.
It is being carried out as part of the £29 million Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme which aims to enhance the connection between the station and the city centre and improve the environment in and around the station.
As a result, there have been road closures in the area and changes to parking arrangements, bus stops and taxi ranks.
Daily Focus has approached Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a comment.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, has previously said: “We are making it our priority to improve our city’s transport links and enhance our infrastructure. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get around the city and make Stoke-on-Trent a healthier and greener place to live and visit.
“While this work is going on there will be some disruption and we understand that this can be frustrating for motorists but I want to reassure everyone that it will be worth it in the end.”