The Clayrooms open their doors in Macclesfield
By Alex Greensmith
18th Oct 2023 | Local News
A new pottery studio has launched in Macclesfield town centre.
The Clayrooms have opened on 20A Park Green.
They offer ceramic workshops and courses, which are held in a new fully-equipped studio.
Macclesfield Nub News went to meet with some of the team behind the new town centre ceramics venue.
Co-Founders Sarah Heaton and Helen Cammiss started their independent business in the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne, and have now opened up in Macc.
"We set the Clayrooms up six years ago," said Sarah.
"We started in a small cellar in Helen's house, initially just to make things for ourselves.
"I'm from a ceramics background, whereas Helen was an art teacher.
"People started coming round, to the point where we opened up on the high street in Ashbourne and that is when we turned from a lifestyle into a business. We were getting people off the street who were coming to us wishing to learn pottery.
"We were always looking for a second site. We've decided to expand into Macclesfield, as we have waiting lists at Ashbourne.
"We wanted somewhere that was not too close to Ashbourne, but also close at the same time."
They already had existing clientele in nearby Leek, which sealed the deal for The Clayrooms to come to Macclesfield.
Judging by the Macclesfield community who have liked our previous article with The Clayrooms in the hundreds, and according to the business itself, Macclesfield have instantly fallen in love with the business concept.
"We run our potteries a bit like a gym, so people subscribe to access The Clayrooms," explained Sarah.
"For that you get six studio hours per week, a firing allowance, access to our brand new wheels
"Our subscriptions start from three months, so you get to know the system.
"We become a community with our members.
"We like to hold regular studio pop-up shops, where our members can sell what they make."
They have already got their hands stuck in, in terms of getting to know the community.
"The open weekend went amazing," said Helen.
"We've already got classes booked up, and we've launched Pottery in the Pubs at RedWillow Bar and Porters in Macclesfield as well.
"We try to offer things at different price points, so Pottery in the Pubs is a way of meeting that.
"We're thinking of doing stuff for kids as well [With the first event coming up on October 25]."
They are also available to be booked for corporate events, with a Bollington company recently coming down to bond as a team through the means of pottery.
Throughout October, the business will also be raising money for the charity Breast Cancer Now.
Matt Whiting is the Manager of the new Macclesfield premises.
He is grateful to have been given the opportunity to be made manager of The Clayrooms.
"I worked with them in Ashbourne for about a year," he said.
"I was doing my final year at Staffordshire University of my ceramics degree, and would come in to work on Saturdays at The Clayrooms."
"With Matt involved we've found the perfect person to expand into Macclesfield," added Helen.
The Clayrooms have a website, where you can browse a list of upcoming events with their price points.
"In Ashbourne we've attracted a wide range of people, and hope to achieve that in Macclesfield as well," revealed Sarah.
"We have everything from medical professionals, to teachers, or people recovering from certain illnesses.
"What they all have in common is, they find pottery is a mindfulness thing.
"They come, they do three hours either on the wheel or making. It is a way of managing the rest of your life really."
"There is a reason why traditionally it was seen as occupational therapy, people like the downtime," chimed in Helen.
"It is also a great way to form a new social group. For some of our retirees, it is the highlight of their week."
They will host events across seven days.
In our modern world, with many crafts falling down the wayside in the way of tech, why not have a digital detox and learn a new skill on your doorstep?
Get in touch with The Clayrooms for more information. Click HERE to head to their Facebook.
See Also: Macclesfield good cause donates trees to kids at Bollinbrook Primary School
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