Cornwall’s iconic Leach Pottery is excited to reopen its online shop from Monday June 1 following a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The physical shop will open by appointment only from Monday June 15th.
During the opening week, the pottery will run a special offer on its large and small Standard Ware mugs with a 15% discount for one week only and going forward, it will run two promotions each week on both its Leach Standard Ware and on the work of one of the 75 individual makers that the pottery represents. To coincide with the reopening, in-house studio potter Roelof will also be starting work on the brand-new, much-anticipated Leach 100 limited edition range which will be available later this year.
Since the implementation of lockdown, the pottery’s priority has naturally been the health and wellbeing of its staff, volunteers, visitors and supporters, as well as the wider community. It made the decision to close the site and cease online operations in March but with the easing of recent restrictions, the team behind one of the most respected and influential studio potteries in the world feel that now is the right time to reopen the online shop.
2020 marks the 100th year anniversary of the St Ives’ iconic pottery. Despite the obvious challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought in its centenary year, the pottery has always demonstrated resilience against an ever-changing backdrop, and has stood and survived the test of time, continually innovating and responding to challenges. The pottery has pivoted its artistic programme to ensure this vital anniversary is not missed with a host of artistic activity still taking place.
The online shop has an array of handcrafted wares and gift options for both wholesale and individual buyers, including the full collection of Leach Studio works; both the iconic Leach Standard Ware and the Leach Porcelain Standard Ware. Alongside these sits the Leach Homeware, a set of unique pieces that have evolved over time, some of which are limited editions and others one-off pieces but all are equally unique. Also available for purchase online is ceramic art from the 75 individual potters that Leach represents, specialist books, DVDs and merchandise as well as gift vouchers.
Leach Pottery’s gift list service enables online shoppers to create their very own bespoke Leach Pottery wish list. Whether celebrating a wedding, special birthday, anniversary, or setting up a new home, pottery fans can choose pieces from any of the Leach Standard Ware or Porcelain ranges and share them with friends and family who will then be able to purchase items from the bespoke wish list.
Mark Williams, Commercial Manager at Leach Pottery said, “We are really pleased to be able to safely reopen our online shop in June and start working on our much-anticipated new limited-edition range. We will be introducing enhanced health and safety measures and strict social distancing guidelines to ensure we offer the safest working environment at the pottery. We will be running two promotions per week with the first offering 15% off large and small Standard Ware mugs from June 1st, for reference LRW1 and 15% off large mugs and espresso mugs using reference LRW2. Alongside this, we will also be offering 15% off new pottery made by Jeremy Leach, the grandson of Bernard Leach himself, applicable for one week only from June 1st.”
The Leach 100 Centenary is supported by Arts Council England and the National Lottery and its players, Garfield Weston, Saskawa, Art Fund, Cornwall Council and at St Ives Town Council, Andrew Mitchell and the Community Chest fund as well as the Sylvia Waddilove Trust and all of the Leach Pottery volunteers, customers and team members.
At the forefront of artistic-pottery innovation for 100 years, the Leach Pottery is a vital historical site founded by two key figures of 20th century studio pottery, Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada. A working studio in the beating heart of St Ives’ renowned artistic community, the Leach Pottery continues to be an embodiment of the pioneering nature of the artist-craftsman.
Image of Bernard Leach kindly provided by the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, BHL/7095. Copyright The British Travel & Holidays Association Photographic Unit.
