Kate Radford Pottery has been selected as a winner of a national award – just 12 months after a devastating fire threatened to close down the business.

Kate Radford Pottery in Kensworth, has been named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses by the Small Business Saturday campaign – with the award recognising the amazing support of the local pottery community.

The business, founded by Kate Radford, in 1999, has been a creative hub in Kensworth for 27 years, helping students discover the joy of clay while building a close-knit community where people return year after year.

“To be selected for the national Nation’s Favourite Businesses list is an incredible honour as we celebrate 27 years of Kate Radford Pottery”, said Kate. “Our studio has always been a sanctuary for people to connect, learn, and socialise, but the true strength of our community was proven last year.

Kate Radford pottery has been selected as a winner of the national small business award through the Small Business Saturday Campaign.

placeholder image — Kate Radford pottery has been selected as a winner of the national small business award through the Small Business Saturday Campaign.

"When a devastating fire threatened everything our amazing students rallied together to find a temporary solution, getting us back in operation in just two weeks so we could keep teaching. Thanks to that unwavering support, we were able to move into our brand-new studio by January. This recognition from Small Business Saturday belongs entirely to our studio family, and we are absolutely thrilled by this national spotlight.”

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. “Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy.

“We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”

The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase each business as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on December 5 - a grassroots non-commercial campaign founded by American Express aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.