Stone makers are among the local businesses featured in the new Made in Staffordshire scheme, which has been created to promote products genuinely made in the county.
The accreditation mark has been launched by We Are Staffordshire, the county’s place marketing organisation, to support makers, creators, manufacturers, food and drink producers and growers across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The scheme gives eligible businesses use of the Made in Staffordshire mark, alongside marketing support, promotional opportunities and inclusion in an online directory. Membership is free for the first two years.
Businesses must have a registered or trading address in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent, have been trading for at least six months, and carry out a meaningful part of their production process within the county.
Among the businesses currently listed is Stone’s Throw Pottery, a teaching and members’ pottery studio based just behind Stone High Street on Newcastle Street. The studio offers throwing taster classes, beginners’ courses, membership and drop-in sessions for people working on their own pottery projects.
The Courtyard Workshop is also listed. The independent jewellery studio is based in Stone and creates handmade jewellery inspired by Staffordshire heritage, including Stafford knots and traditional pot banks.
The Made in Staffordshire mark was launched at the House of Commons as part of Staffordshire Day celebrations and was also showcased at last week’s Staffordshire County Show, where local makers and producers took part in a dedicated Made in Staffordshire presence.
Hay and Astley, a family-owned business run by Dave and Julia Hayhurst, was among those at the County Show. The business makes natural lavender products from English lavender grown at its farm base in the Trent Valley.
Julia Hayhurst said
“We are a Staffordshire lavender producer based on my family farm in the Trent Valley. We grow all our own lavender, harvest it by hand and get it distilled. Dave then puts it into all the lovely products that we sell to the public.
“We’re part of the Made in Staffordshire initiative because we feel it’s important to showcase where we’re from. My family has farmed here for over 100 years and that means an awful lot to us. And the fact that we are part of that farming community but are diversifying into something a little bit different – and telling the public about it – makes this kind of initiative brilliant for us to be able to get that message out there.
“We are a fantastically creative county and very diverse. If more people can buy local and support small independent businesses like ourselves, that’s brilliant. By having the Made in Staffordshire mark, you’re buying something knowing exactly where it has come from and has been locally and sustainably sourced.”
Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said
“Staffordshire is home to some outstanding businesses and producers. Made in Staffordshire gives them the recognition they deserve while helping customers buy local with confidence.
“Supporting local enterprise, creating jobs and growing our economy are key priorities for us, and this accreditation is another practical way of helping Staffordshire businesses succeed.”
Businesses interested in joining the Made in Staffordshire scheme can find out more and apply through its website.
Members of the public can also visit the website to explore the growing directory of local businesses and Staffordshire-made products.
Readers looking to support more local independent businesses can also browse the A Little Bit of Stone business directory.
