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Glass Mall => Glass News => Topic started by: chopin-liszt on January 06, 2013, 11:40:15 AM

Title: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chopin-liszt on January 06, 2013, 11:40:15 AM
Nothing in the news yet,  just  a tweet on Mark Hill's blog, copied and pasted.

"Shocked and very sad to hear about the closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass. Will find out more when I get back to my office next week."
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Lustrousstone on January 06, 2013, 12:35:25 PM
Oh dear. The website is down. The studio was due to reopen tomorrow after Christmas
Quote
Last updated 22nd December 2012. The Studio, Shop & Coffee Shop closes for Christmas on the 22nd December and re-opens on the 7th January 2013
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Nemmie on January 06, 2013, 02:08:13 PM
Very sad news.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Anne on January 06, 2013, 06:33:34 PM
Site message now says,

Quote
"Down for Maintenance

This store is unavailable.

Very sorry but Isle of Wight Studio Glass is no longer trading."

Very sad news indeed.   :'(
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: rosieposie on January 06, 2013, 10:30:58 PM
Oh My!  What a dreadful start to 2013 for them. I am so sorry.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: jakgene on January 08, 2013, 01:18:40 AM
How sad to see such enterprise coming to an end after so long.

And what a loss to the world of beautiful glass.
JAK
Title: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: chilternhills on January 08, 2013, 01:41:00 PM
I have just heard the disasterous news! From 2nd January 2013 Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration!  :'(  The news I have is that
Quote
Whilst the company ceased trading on 2nd January, it is still a live company.
What that means exactly I am not sure, but apparently all employees of the company have lost their jobs. My heart goes out to them. Portland Business & Financial Solutions is the firm of insolvency practitioners instructed by the directors of the studio. I'll keep you posted if I get more news. If fellow collectors of IOWSG know more I would be glad to hear it. Thanks.

Anton
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: chopin-liszt on January 08, 2013, 01:53:26 PM
I don't know any more than you, Anton - and I didn't know all employees had lost their jobs!
That is completely tragic, particularly with their "all in it together" philosophy.
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: David E on January 08, 2013, 06:32:30 PM
It may be that the insolvency practitioners still consider it to be a going concern that can find new owners. But after the debacle of Poole Pottery and Wedgwood Museum, I wouldn't hold out too much hope of a "real" takeover - more like some bl**dy asset-strippers...
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: flying free on January 09, 2013, 09:43:25 AM
This is terrible news. I feel very sad for all those who have lost their jobs and livelihood.
m
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: chopin-liszt on January 09, 2013, 10:20:31 AM
It really is a fabulous location and set-up for glass-making, even if the island is a bit out of reach.
One would have hoped it would be sold as an ongoing concern, with the staff being kept on.  :'(


Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: chilternhills on January 09, 2013, 01:09:15 PM
The news from Ron Wheeler is that IOWSG is due to be placed into creditors’ voluntary liquidation on 18th January 2013. Perhaps we shall get more news about what the options are for the company at that time. I can't imagine Timothy Harris not producing glass in some capacity.
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: chopin-liszt on January 09, 2013, 03:50:14 PM
Neither can I.  ;)
Title: Re: Isle of Wight Studio Glass have gone into administration
Post by: marie anne on January 09, 2013, 07:05:47 PM
This news makes me very sad. I made a tourist visit to IOWSG last summer and was very impressed by the skill and team work of the glass-blowers there.  It is an amazing place.  I hope very much that some "real takeover" happens.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Frank on January 11, 2013, 02:55:13 AM
If I can preserve their website via glass-study.org I willl.... but need someone to take the initiative re contacts etcetera...
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chilternhills on January 16, 2013, 01:35:10 PM
Let's not write the studio off yet. The Isle of Wight County Press reported last Friday, January 11th:

Quote
Mr Harris said he was determined to resurrect the business, in some form, in the future.

"I will continue to be a master glassmaker, but the structure of any future business that administers this indisputably creative and respected Isle of Wight company has yet to be confirmed," he said.

Read the County Press story in full here: http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/jobs-go-as-renowned-island-company-closes-47736.aspx (http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/jobs-go-as-renowned-island-company-closes-47736.aspx)
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: art-of-glass on February 12, 2013, 06:59:42 PM
looks like all the equipment etc is up for auction.
Last four lots are interesting....
http://www.marriottco-auctions.co.uk/auction_details.asp?saleid=534&siteid=2

Dan
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 12, 2013, 07:27:22 PM
I don't know about the last 4... interesting and I'm a tad curious about what the implications will be...
My name is there as a former member of the collector's club (I didn't renew last year) and I am not at all happy that my details might be sold to somebody.
I'm also curious about the implications of designs and copyrights being sold.
Does this mean somebody else can start producing facsimiles of limited edition pieces?

but lot 88 is a freezer full of ice cream!
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Frank on February 12, 2013, 08:03:34 PM
If you did not renew last year you could contact the auctioneers with your objection. 

Last 4 lots are a set up your own IOW glass company (anywhere) kit. Of course, I guess.... err hope...  Broadfield house will be after the pattern?? technical book at least.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Anne on February 12, 2013, 10:17:25 PM
One would hope so Frank.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 13, 2013, 11:42:26 AM
I think my objection is more to IoWSG selling me.
Tim told me when I joined the club that it meant that I was now part of the "Harris family".

I feel betrayed.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Frank on February 13, 2013, 06:45:27 PM
It is a corporate world, peeps are now units of commodities.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 14, 2013, 02:31:33 PM
 >:(
I don't join "clubs". It was a huge and really distasteful thing for me to have done, but I couldn't buy a vase I'd fallen in love with if I didn't. because it was CC exclusive. It was at the very first Open Day at the Studio. Tim was, I thought, trying to comfort me to make up for having had to do it.

I know you're right, Frank, but it still comes as a nasty shock every time it happens. I don't understand the corporate manners(or rather, the lack of them) of thinking- I think in a utilitarian manner.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Frank on February 17, 2013, 12:38:40 AM
Manners have no impact on the balance sheet, which is all that counts today sadly.

Do you know if those lots were sold?
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: glassobsessed on April 08, 2013, 11:06:54 AM
The Harris family bought the important assets including designs etc.

Perhaps not so long now for the rebirth (whatever form it takes): http://onthewight.com/2013/04/08/isle-of-wight-studio-glass-to-rise-from-the-ashes/

John
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: rosieposie on April 08, 2013, 01:58:02 PM
Bestest news ever... Thanks so much for letting us know... :)
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Frank on April 08, 2013, 11:44:25 PM
Neat.
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: Anne on April 11, 2013, 06:04:56 PM
Wonderful news! :)
Title: Re: Closure of Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Post by: chilternhills on April 02, 2014, 10:39:11 PM
Great news. The new studio at Arreton Barns has produced its first glass. They are back in business. Hooray!  ;D  ;D  ;D

Pictures of their first productions are on the IOWSG web site: http://www.isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk/ (http://www.isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk/)

Anton