With the cost of living crisis currently dominating the headlines, and levelling up very much on the agenda for the government, Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent recently hosted a regional cabinet meeting (12 May), with the story appearing in both the national press and local media.
The Pottery, founded in 1889, played host to PM Boris Johnson as well as senior ministers that included chancellor Rishi Sunak, home secretary Priti Patel, education secretary Nadhim Zahawi; health secretary Sajid Javid; housing and levelling up secretary Michael Gove, international trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and government efficiency secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg.
During the meeting, Michael Gove pointed to Stoke-on-Trent as an historic world-renowned success for business and innovation but said there is more to do here and across the UK to better level up education, health, and housing.
Prior to the meeting, cabinet ministers met Jim Norman, managing director of Burgess & Leigh (Burleigh & Poole Pottery), Dean Barlow, operations director of Denby Pottery, Debbie Hill, production manager of Burgess & Leigh and three apprentices, at a business and community event also held at the Pottery.
Jim Norman told GiftsandHome.net: “It was a memorable day for the staff at Burleigh, some of whom had the opportunity to chat with Boris Johnson and the rest of the cabinet. Our production manager, Deborah Hill, proudly introduced two graduate apprentices and one current apprentice – Leanne Bourne, Megan Ferriday and Jack Harris – to the visitors at a business and community event held on the canal side.”
Continued Jim: “After the cabinet meeting, design and development manager Alison Howell and I had the opportunity of a private meeting and tour with Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade, to discuss exporting and to showcase the unique craftsmanship that makes Burleigh so special.”
Top: A regional cabinet meeting was held at Middleport Pottery last week.
