ROYAL CROWN DERBY
ROYAL CROWN DERBY
HISTORY
Following the coming into existence of the Derby Poor Law Union in 1837, the Poor Law Commissioners had the first Derby Union Workhouse built on Osmaston Road. The building of a new Derby Union Workhouse on Uttoxeter Road led to the site on Osmaston Road being put up for sale in 1876. It was purchased by the Royal Crown Derby Company for the establishment of a new factory.
The story of Derby China dates back to the mid-1700s, when Andrew Planche, a Huguenot, established the first china works in a rented property in Derby. He was joined by William Duesbury a businessman and potter from Longton, Staffordshire who bought the property on Nottingham Road and became the dominant figure in the business. Duesbury took on many skilled painters and figure modellers and, in 1770; he purchased the famous Chelsea factory. The uniqueness of Derby porcelain was recognised by King George III. In 1775, he granted the factory the rare honour of being able to incorporate a crown on its ware and in its name.
After his father’s death in 1786, William Duesbury II set about making the Derby China Works the finest in Europe. Unfortunately, he died in 1797 at the age of 34 and the factory went into temporary decline losing many of its skilled workers. Until Robert Bloor took control of the factory in 1811 and restored its reputation. The eventual move to the new site on Osmaston Road signalled a period of further growth and diversification. In 1890, Royal acclaim followed when the company was appointed ‘Manufacturers of porcelain to Her Majesty’.
Following several changes in ownership, the business was acquired in 2013 by one of the world’s most successful ceramic brands, Steelite International. The company is committed to maintaining the same high standards as previously attained and will be looking for new markets providing fine bone china tableware to luxury hotels, high-end restaurants and hospitality providers throughout the world. An order was recently received from the Dorchester Hotel in London, in addition to several others from the high-end market.