We Mean Business: Owner of booming pottery painting venture prepares to step back and retire at 75
The owner of a booming pottery painting venture in Northampton is preparing to take a step back and retire when he reaches 75 years old.
Launched in February, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
The next to share his insight for We Mean Business is Ronald Gunn, who relocated Potz Ceramic Studio from Billing Garden Village to Weston Favell Shopping Centre in September 2025.
The business provides a family-friendly environment for people of all ages and abilities with a desire to paint pottery. It entered a new era with a fresh space, more tables and innovative events seven months ago, following two decades in its former location.
Let’s take a look at what Ronald had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“I had a stroke three weeks ago and I’m going to retire while I feel fit enough,” he said. “It was a warning and there was no brain bleed. It was very mild. I’d like to retire on May 25, my 75th birthday.
“Business is going very, very well but we’ve had increased costs, the same as everyone else. I know a lot of people are struggling and places at our old location have closed as there’s no footfall.
“We went from zero footfall at Billing to 8,000 a week at Weston Favell Shopping Centre. If you can’t make a success of a business with that footfall, you shouldn’t run one. Since the day we moved, we’ve murdered every same month from the year before.
“It’s been a tremendous success and the best thing I ever did. The team has worked tremendously hard and we have 40 bums on seats in all four slots on Saturdays.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Ronald continued: “You’re never going to own a business that hasn’t got issues somewhere along the line. Costs are increasing, including minimum wage and delivery charges because of the couriers used and fuel going up. Fortunately we’ve managed to carry these and not increase our prices.
“This means we have to watch our spending. We don’t always buy the quantity we could have previously, but we do have sufficient funds to buy pottery, tools and equipment when we need it. If it goes on for much longer, it could get tough then and we’ve got to be prepared.”
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
“People love the relaxation,” said Ronald. “Once they’ve painted and come to give us the pottery, they say it’s the best and most relaxing two hours.”
The owner says he makes 25 to 30 percent of the pottery they sell for customers to paint, which is an aspect of the business he hopes will continue when Potz is taken over and he retires.
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
“The only thing we need is footfall through the door,” Ronald concluded. “Small independents need the support. Our most successful offering is sip and paint from 7pm until 9pm on the last Friday of every month. Customers bring their own bottle, it doesn’t have to be alcohol, and they are asked to consume in moderation.”