Begbies backs appeal to save Wedgwood Collection

ACCOUNTANCY firm Begbies Traynor, administrator of the Wedgwood Collection of art, pottery and writing in Staffordshire, has thrown its support behind an appeal to save the collection from being dismantled and sold at auction.

The historic collection featuring artefacts dating back 250 years went into administration in 2009 after owner Waterford Wedgwood Potteries went into liquidation, prompting the transfer of the company’s £134m pension debt to Wedgwood Museum Trust.

This is in turn placed the future of the collection in doubt.

However, following years of negotiation and warding off the threat of auction so far, Bob Young, partner at business recovery specialist Begbies, has secured the sale of the collection to national art charity the Art Fund – on the condition that a £2.75m funding gap will be plugged.

The Art Fund has launched the Save Wedgwood Appeal in an attempt to ensure the collection’s future, having already raised £13m towards the purchase of the 80,000 pieces valued at £15.75m.

The charity has until November 30 to raise the money in a deal struck with the museum’s creditors.

If the appeal is successful, it means that the works will remain together under one roof, in Barlaston near Stoke-on-Trent.

Ownership of the collection would be transferred from the Art Fund to the V&A Museum once the final £2.75m required is raised.

Young said: “For the past two years I have worked with local MPs, culture minister Ed Vaizey, the Art Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and others to ensure the Wedgwood Collection stays together.

“The focus at Begbies Traynor has been very much on the rescue of the collection, with the aim of securing a successful outcome for all parties.

“The creditors have been incredibly understanding and patient about the importance of the collection and I would like to urge people to get behind this very worthwhile appeal.

“Its success will be a great story for the nation, in terms of preservation of its heritage, and also Staffordshire and the Midlands, in terms of the visitors it will drive to the region.”

Begbies has operations in Birmingham and Stoke. 

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