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Jersey Pottery - Porcelain Dinnerware
Made in the Channel Islands
The Jersey Pottery opened for business in 1946, a time when English decorated pottery ware was not successfully produced for home consumption. As a result of a shortage in the English market, The Jersey Pottery was able to take advantage, exporting their vibrantly decorated wares to Britain and overseas.
In 1954 The Jersey Pottery was acquired by the Jones family and with that arrived the formation of The Jersey Pottery Ltd., establishing the cornerstone foundation of what has today grown into one of Jersey's most popular and engaging attractions. The Jones family quickly recognized the potential for the actual production of the pottery to become a major attraction to visitors. Having witnessed the manufacture and intricate creative process involved in the production of handmade pottery visitors would be keen to take a tangible memory home as a unique reminder of their time in Jersey.
Visitors were encouraged to observe every area of production - throwing, casting, fettling, decorating, firing and glazing - providing the opportunity to appreciate the skill and dexterity of the artists and craftsmen. The move to an open plan structure facilitated a transition from a pottery considered a secretive organization whose products were destined solely for export, into a welcoming and interesting island attraction.
The remainder of the 1950's saw a steady growth in the number of visitors to the pottery and so the family decided to cultivate gardens and provide light refreshments. By the end of the decade such was the demand for the pottery that highly skilled craftsmen and designers were recruited from potteries in Staffordshire And the Jones family installed the most modern equipment available at the time.
The expansion of the business continued with the acquisition of four acres of Crown Land situated behind the Pottery. New buildings, a car park and gardens featuring fountains and pools were laid out, allowing for the existing rather cramped manufacturing areas to expand and increase production.
The popularity of the Jersey Pottery continued to grow and in 1970 a new restaurant catering for up to 500 visitors was opened. Split into two facilities, visitors had a choice of whether to enjoy the ambience of a vine and creeper covered outdoor terrace or undercover seating. The popular style of alfresco dining has grown to become synonymous with the pottery, along with its reputation for local seafood and emphasis on providing the freshest and finest gastronomic experience.
The late 1970's saw a further expansion of the production area and the Studio Department was opened, devoted to pottery made by throwing clay on to a wheel and for many visitors the traditional method of pottery production.
In 1996, Jersey Pottery celebrated it 50th anniversary. Today with more than sixty staff producing over 230 items, the pottery has become one of Jersey's largest manufacturers and a major island industry keeping a large number of staff employed throughout the year. As tastes have changed, The Jersey Pottery introduced new themes and concepts whilst still always retaining a consistent characteristic quality and style. For instance, household furnishing accessories comprise a large proportion of the pottery's production and a packing service is available for dispatch to anywhere in the world.
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