68 RED ROSE AWARDS


WINNER: EXPORT AWARD MADE IN LANCASHIRE AWARD


SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RESTORATION WHAT BEING A RED ROSE WINNER MEANS TO US


Darwen Terracotta’s story is fired by passion, resilience and pride in craftsmanship.


In May 2015, Steve Allen and Jon Wilson were made redundant – alongside 38 colleagues – from a Darwen-based sink manufacturer.


Over a brew they decided to set up Darwen Terracotta and have never looked back.


The business has built an impressive


reputation for architectural terracotta, with its expert team working on restoration and new build projects across the UK, Europe, North America, Canada and Australia.


Jon says: “I was very tempted to retire at the time as I was 59. But we thought about the other 38 very skilled people and if we didn’t set up a business then it would have probably let Europeans or Americans in and take over the market.


“We were very keen that the restoration work stayed manufactured in the UK.”


Steve adds: “Some of the employees had been there for 20 or 30 years and we saw it as an opportunity.


“What frightened us to death in 2005 was the banks were not lending and the economy was sort of in a recovery situation. We had to write a business plan and believe in ourselves.”


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