Stoke-on-Trent ceramic firms showcase their wares at national exhibition (& they hope customers will go potty for the new designs!)

Some of the city's leading pottery firms have unveiled some new designs - as they showcase their wares on the national stage.

Ceramic manufacturers from across North Staffordshire are among hundreds of businesses exhibiting at this year's Spring Fair, which is taking place at Birmingham's NEC this week.

Stoke-based Portmeirion regularly takes part in the annual event which brings in dozens of new orders from big-name customers such as Amazon, Sainsbury's and Tesco as well as independent retailers.

And this year, the company is launching three new ranges as part of its efforts to focus on 'Made in England' products.

The first is the Harmony range - which is a modern twist on the firm's best-selling pattern, Botanic Garden - and the second is a Sara Miler collaboration called Tahiti which is brand new for 2019.

The final new range is the Atrium range which has been designed with the 'younger generation' in mind.

Steve Richardson, who is head of UK sales at Portmeirion, said: "Traditionally we use the show as a platform to launch ranges from our licensed products, but this year we have focused back on UK-made because, with Brexit approaching, more and more customers want products which are Made in England."

"We have also introduced glasswear to some of our ranges because there is a big emphasis on gifting.

"The Atrium range is a lovely range, it's very modern and we hope it will attract the attention of the younger generation who enjoy things like Afternoon Tea.

"Tea and coffee is very cool at the moment and we are trying to tap into that market with our new products."

Steve added: "Next year is a big year for some of our brands, Spode is celebrating its 250th anniversary while Portmeirion's Botanic Garden is celebrating 60 years and Pimpernel will be marking 90 years."

Stone-based mug manufacturer Dunoon has also released a range of new Staffordshire-made products - including a fine bone china travel mug.

Sales manager Rus Cymbaluk said: "We constantly keep our eye on the current trends to make sure we are always relevant.

"Last year we released a new cup shape, which is very large, because at the moment a lot of people want bigger mugs.

"So we have got some new floral patterns in the new, big shape and we are set to add to those designs in the coming year."

He added: "But one of the newest things for us has been the fine bone china travel mugs.

"There is a lot of focus on reusables at the moment and while travel mugs already exist, they tend to be made from bamboo or plastic.

"Ours are made from bone china which has a number of benefits including the fact that it doesn't change the taste of the drink and it doesn't tarnish over time. You simply wash it out and use it again and again."

For Sandyford ceramics firm Churchill China, this year's show is a chance to launch no less than 45 new products.

Sales manager Paul Rowbatham said: "Our Reignforest and Aquarelle collections have seen the introduction of up to six new products, which is more than any other collection.

"Both our hospitality business and our retail business are doing OK at the moment in what is quite a difficult time. We still employ more than 650 people and manufacture around 70 or 80 per cent of our own products at our Stoke-on-Trent factory which is great because it always means we are looking for new staff."

Other businesses showcasing at this year's Spring Fair - which runs until Thursday - includes Burslem-based Moorland Pottery and Dimbleby Ceramics, based in Trentham as well as electrical goods wholesaler RKW, in Fenton, and Staffordshire Moorlands luxury foods-maker Cottage Delight.

Want to tell us about something going on where you live? Let us know - Tweet us @SOTLive or message us on our Facebook page . And if you have pictures to share, tag us on Instagram at StokeonTrentLive .