Northamptonshire loses two popular pottery painting venues – but one is embarking on exciting new chapter
Northamptonshire has lost two popular pottery painting venues in the past month, but one is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it vacates its bricks and mortar store to go mobile.
It is a strange coincidence that such similar businesses have left behind their shops within the space of a few weeks of one another, so let’s take a look at how it all unfolded…
The closures began when the team behind Potz Ceramic Studio took to social media on August 12 to say the business had ceased trading due to unforeseen circumstances.
The announcement was made with great sadness and the team thanked the community for their support over the past six years, which is when the last owner Ronald Gunn took over.
The business, which was previously situated at Billing Garden Village before making the move to Weston Favell Shopping Centre in September 2025, was a family-friendly environment for people of all ages and abilities with a desire to paint pottery.
After nearly two decades in its former location and a number of changes in ownership, the team entered a new era with a fresh space, more tables and innovative events when they opened the doors at Weston Favell Shopping Centre.
Ronald previously told the Chronicle & Echo that the team had been looking for a different premises for years, but this was initially intended to be a second studio in addition to their location in Billing.
However, after the business had to close for three days due to flooding in December 2024, this troubling time made them realise they needed to move their first location altogether.
Having seen an advertisement for a unit in Weston Favell Shopping Centre, which welcomes around 8,000 visitors per month, the team saw this as an ideal opportunity for growth.
A five-year lease was signed just three months ago in June and the business opened in the former premises of Silhouette Youth Theatre, upstairs nearby to Boots Pharmacy and Card Factory, but is now sadly no longer.
Friday September 4 marks the final day on Whittons Lane in Towcester for pottery painting venture Cre8, three months on from when team members Liz and Heather took to social media to reveal they will be taking their business on the road back in mid-June.
The final week of opening has been for collections only so the team can prepare the studio for closing. They took to social media to thank customers for all their support and to stay tuned for the next chapter.
It is a shame that this now leaves very limited options for locations to travel to and enjoy leisurely pottery painting with loved ones but, like loyal customers, we look forward to finding out what the future holds for Cre8 moving forward.