Denby or Spode?

[ThatEagerScroller]

Posting here for the vote. I got some birthday money. We need new crockery. Should I get:

the plain white Denby (about £100 for a 12 piece set)
OR
the Spode Morris & Co (about £180 for a 12 piece set)

The birthday money is unexpected. We don't need it for any bills etc, but we would noticing having to splash out another £180 if, say, so much of the Spode stuff got broken that we had to replace it. I know Denby is closing so won't be replaceable.

It's prob relevant that I have a 3 year old and two older kids, and a tiled kitchen floor. Breakages will happen. But I love William Morris & always have. But we're not fancy people. Denby is already fancy. My favourite coffee mug was £2 from Asda. Will I be anxious every time I get the Spode stuff out (which would be every day - don't want to keep stuff "for good")? Will my family and friends pick up on it, and ask to use my kids' plastic plates instead?

YABU: Get the practical beautiful Denby
YANBU: Get the beautiful beautiful Spode

I have ‘fake’ Denby for everyday and it doesn’t fit properly in my dishwasher (too tall and thick) so that’s annoying. It also chips easily but that might not be the case for the real thing.
my Christmas tree Spode gets used for the whole of December and I’ve not had one issue with it. Right size, never chips and I actually can pick up the odd piece on special offers so I have spares.
You know which one you want….

It sounds like you love the Spode, so I'd get that. It will bring you more joy each time you use it. Plus people can buy you matching mugs etc for birthdays. This is a treat thing, so get the one you love - it's not silly silly money.

YANBU I have had the Denby White and have about 12 of the plates. I have had it over 25 years but it is not the bullet proof thick type of Denby, so I think you should go for the Spode one you love, as it won't be any more fragile really and at least replacements will still be available.

I love Denby but wouldn't buy the white. Denby is best when the glaze highlights the colour(s).

Denby just gone bust

I have large dinner plates (Denby as it happens) and my dishwasher's top shelf can be moved up a notch so they fit.

Anyway OP: Spode obvs!

Wow, was not expected unanimous Spode! Especially given the kids. It's not silly money for one set, but we'd maybe get pasta bowls too... And it does kind of add up then. But yeah, I'd get such delight from them.

That is a very good point... And I don't eat want any of the denby coloured sets. They are lovely, just not what I want.

Denby made its last set last week, there will never be more. So i would buy Denby if you can get your hands on some. Denby is (was) an institution.

I'm probably being really stupid here, but why would it make a difference that there won't be any more Denby made? I don't have like a sentimental thing about it, can understand lots of people would but I don't. Definitely feel more sentimental about Wilko Morris actually! But is there another reason Denby closing should make me pick Denby?

@ThatEagerScroller Have a look at Dunelm and John Lewis - they both have offers on the WM pattern. 😁

Interesting... Would you say your Spode stuff gets fairly rough treatment? Because my stuff will get rough treatment. Even the adults in my life are not capable of being delicate with crockery. It'll be shoved into cupboards in stacks, banged with cutlery for emphasis in debates, that sort of thing.

Ohhh....

That should obviously say "William Morris", but the autocorrect knows my usual standard too well... 😂

Our dinner set was from Wilko over 25yrs ago.,,what's left of it! 🤦🏻‍♀️

😂But, I mean, this is the thing. You pointed me to Dunelm, and I saw the stuff I want, but I also saw some cheap nice stuff that would do the job. And it is nice. There's a part of me that's just astounded and a bit appalled that I'm even considering spending so much on a few plates...

Denby is so long-lasting! We’re currently using a mix of the set my DP had as a wedding gift with his ex and some that was my dad’s from the 1960s

I have real Denby and it is a pain to get in the dishwasher, though it's the coupe type so I don't know if it's an issue with all ranges. It is indestructible and I fully expect it to outlast me, no matter how much I abuse it. I was very tempted to change to the Cotton White, but it's been sold out for ages so if that's the one you had your eye on, I don't think you're in luck. I'm not sure why it's still on the site - I get my hopes up when I see it, then notice the teeny tiny sold out sign!

Get the Spode Morris. It will make you happy every time you use it.

In a year's time you'll forget about the extra £80.

I like my Denby. But Denby closing would put me off starting buying it if I had none, as replacements might be hard to come by.

Oh well i just presumed since you were considering buying some Denby that you liked Denby and would want to buy some while you have a chance 🤷🏻‍♀️

Denby has just gone into administration. The Spode factory ceased production nearly twenty years ago. The label is now used by Portmeirion for some designs. Portmeiron has imported ceramics from abroad and sold them under the Spode label. If you want good ceramics made in England look at the Burleigh factory, recently rescued from bankruptcy . The lottery industry here in Stoke on Trent has been hit badly by high energy prices

I honestly thought this was a baby name thread 🫣😂

I have Spode’s Pink Tower as my everyday set. Pink stoneware “willow pattern” style which has recently become v.v. popular. Nice to know I’m ahead of the trend!
Mine is mostly (second hand) from the 70s but it’s a classic design with a clear pattern and lovely shapes that shout “Spode” (to those who know). I’ve made it my personal quest to find pieces at car boot sales or online so it’s an ongoing collection at maybe £3 per piece.
You could do the same with your Denby if it’s not made any more you’ll be able to find replacements for years to come. Spode William Morris maybe not so much and it could date you to the 2020s.

We have real Denby. It fits in the dishwasher (and predecessors) fine and doesn’t chip easily. 26 years of constant use - 2 dc- it’s going strong.