Business

Cumbria Crystal warns soaring energy costs threaten UK’s last luxury crystal maker

Monday, 26 May 2025 12:09AM UTC

Cumbria Crystal, famed for its work on James Bond films, faces closure as a 280% surge in energy prices forces production cuts. With traditional crystal glass-cutting now critically endangered, industry leaders call for urgent government action to preserve Britain’s heritage craftsmanship.

The plight of heritage craftsmanship in the UK has reached critical levels, as traditional artisans voice urgent calls for government intervention to safeguard their industries. Cumbria Crystal, the last luxury crystal manufacturer in the country, exemplifies the challenges faced by this sector. Established in Ulverston, the company has provided exquisite crystal products for James Bond films and esteemed clients like Bentley Motors and various British embassies. However, CEO Chris Blade reports a staggering 280 per cent increase in energy costs since November, forcing the company to operate at just 50 per cent capacity.

Blade articulated the precarious situation during an interview, highlighting how costs have escalated from approximately £9,000 to £24,000 a month for gas alone. This sharp rise has compelled Cumbria Crystal to shut down one of their two furnaces, directly impacting production capabilities. The company not only crafts glass but also serves as a guardian of traditional skills in an era increasingly dominated by mass production and cheaper foreign alternatives.

The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) has recognised the peril facing skills like crystal glass-cutting, which has been added to their 'Critically Endangered' list. As of the latest update, there are only eight to ten full-time professional crystal glass-cutters remaining in the UK, three of whom work for Cumbria Crystal. The survival of such crafts is jeopardised by a combination of rising operational costs, shifts in consumer interest, and inadequate training opportunities for the next generation of artisans.

The HCA's recent research has further illuminated these challenges, revealing that traditional crafts face heightened risks due to the combined effects of inflation, Brexit-related complications, and the pandemic's fallout. The Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, now features 259 crafts at varying levels of risk, with 17 new additions since the last update. Among these, crafts like straw hat making and historic stained glass window production have found themselves on the brink of extinction, underscoring the urgent need for structured training and financial support.

Commenting on the broader implications, Blade contends that there is a lack of awareness from government officials regarding the precarious position of small businesses. He expressed frustration over insufficient support, stating that smaller entities are often neglected in favour of larger firms during policy discussions. Without intervention, Blade warns, not only will the company struggle for survival, but so too will the unique heritage of craftsmanship that defines British culture.

Efforts are being made to secure the future of these crafts. Cumbria Crystal is actively engaging with educational initiatives by offering training for master’s and PhD students in glass design and cutting. In another proactive measure, they have introduced 'glassblowing experiences' for the public, seeking to generate interest and revenue while fostering skills among a new generation.

Mary Lewis, leading the examination of the Heritage Crafts' research, emphasised the need for immediate action, noting that many crafts could vanish within a generation if current trends continue. She underscored the importance of public engagement and government support in preserving these irreplaceable cultural elements.

As Cumbria Crystal and similar artisans navigate these turbulent waters, the call for focused apprenticeship funding and strategic governmental support becomes increasingly critical. Acknowledging that luxury items are not merely products but cultural artefacts, Blade advocates for a movement to prioritise British craftsmanship. The consensus is clear: without significant efforts to support these traditional skills, the exquisite artistry that has defined British heritage for centuries is at grave risk of disappearing forever.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2059734/james-bond-crystal-glassmaker-warns - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ft.com/content/093d89c0-874f-4b78-b909-8e85542bd52e - This article discusses the challenges faced by traditional British crafts, highlighting artisans like Felicity Irons and Eve Eunson. It emphasizes the risk of these crafts disappearing due to factors such as high energy prices, cheaper overseas production, and dwindling interest. The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) lists over 150 at-risk crafts, including rush weaving and Fair Isle chair making. The decline is attributed to offshoring and a shift towards mass production since the 1980s. Efforts to save these crafts include a £29 million donation from philanthropist Hamish Ogston to fund heritage skills training.
https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/categories-of-risk/ - The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) assesses the viability of heritage crafts using a system of four categories of risk: Extinct in the UK, Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Currently Viable. A heritage craft is considered viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. The 'Critically Endangered' category includes crafts at serious risk of no longer being practiced in the UK, such as mouth-blown flat glass making, which has been added to the list due to pressures reducing workshop space.
https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/skills/redlist/ - The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, ranks traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation. The list has been updated regularly, with the latest edition in May 2023, increasing the number of crafts examined to 259. The 'Critically Endangered' category includes crafts with very few practitioners, few (if any) trainees, and a lack of viable training routes, such as mouth-blown flat glass making, which was added to the list due to pressures reducing workshop space.
https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-stories/announcements/redlist2023/ - New research by Heritage Crafts has identified more traditional craft skills on the verge of extinction in the UK, with 17 new additions to the 'Critically Endangered' category of the Red List. The research highlights that the energy crisis and inflation have exacerbated issues faced by at-risk skills, building on the cumulative effect of COVID-19, uncertainties around Brexit, and structural issues relating to the funding for skills transmission. Crafts such as straw hat making and encaustic tile making have been added to the list.
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65552787 - A report by the Heritage Crafts charity warns that several traditional crafts in the UK are at risk of becoming extinct. The research has resulted in 17 new additions to a 'red list' of endangered skills, including straw hat weaving, lacquerwork, building wooden boats, and the making of musical bows. Factors cited include high energy prices, cheaper overseas production, and dwindling interest. At least five traditional crafts are believed to have disappeared from British shores over the last 15 years.
https://cgs.org.uk/news/historic-stained-glass-window-making-joins-red-list-of-endangered-crafts/ - Historic stained glass window making has been added to the Heritage Crafts Association’s (HCA) Red List of Endangered Crafts. The British Society of Master Glass Painters states that the design and making of painted and leaded stained glass windows on a large scale for architectural settings is threatened. Steve Clare, chairman of the BSMGP, expressed concern over the low levels of professionals to protect the UK’s heritage of stained glass making and hopes the announcement will galvanize efforts to create a renaissance in the use of stained glass.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be original, with no substantial matches found in recent publications. The earliest known publication date of similar content is from May 2023, highlighting the recent emergence of this issue. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the lack of coverage in other reputable outlets may indicate limited dissemination.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The direct quotes from CEO Chris Blade and Mary Lewis are unique to this narrative, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it has a wide readership, its reputation for journalistic rigor is often questioned. The reliance on a press release from Cumbria Crystal adds credibility but also indicates potential bias.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims regarding rising energy costs and their impact on traditional crafts are plausible and align with broader industry concerns. The inclusion of specific figures and the mention of the Heritage Crafts Association's Red List of Endangered Crafts add credibility. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets and the sensational tone of the Express may warrant further scrutiny.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents original content with unique quotes and addresses a plausible issue concerning the decline of heritage crafts due to rising energy costs. However, the reliance on a press release and the sensational tone of the Express raise questions about the report's objectivity and accuracy. The lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets further complicates the assessment.

heritage crafts
Cumbria Crystal
energy crisis
UK manufacturing
traditional skills