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Paint-your-own pottery franchise targeting Europe-wide expansion

The Ceramic Experience, the Edinburgh-based paint-your-own pottery studio franchisor, is fielding calls from all over Europe as it builds on its dramatic success in the UK.

The four-year-old business currently has five of the upmarket studios across Scotland and England, and is targeting seven new sites this year. Founder Anna St. Clair says that in addition to new sites in the UK, she has had inquiries from Madrid, Florence and Paris for the £45,000 + VAT (or £55,000 + VAT inlcuding VW Beetle) franchises.

Last year, more than 50,000 people paid upwards of £2.99 a time to paint a piece of pottery at a Ceramic Experience studio. Celebrity visitors have included the film star Ewan McGregor and the comedian Dylan Moran.

Anna St. Clair developed The Ceramic Experience concept after seeing how successful the American market for paint-your-own pottery was, compared with the rather poky selection of outlets then available in the UK.

The Ceramic Experience’s factory in Scotland supplies the studios with the “bisque”, the unpainted pottery in a huge variety of sizes and shapes. At the studios, the customers are supplied with everything from stamps and stencils to aprons, brushes, tiles and paint, all of which are non toxic and food safe. The company offers franchisees full training and ongoing back-up and support.

The format includes a cafe along with a soft play area for children. Birthday parties for children are a key market, with each child painting an item either in acrylic (which they can take away with them immediately) or in underglaze, which they can leave to be fired for pick up a day or so later. The studio provides the food and makes all the arrangements. Other markets include hen nights or office get togethers, where customers can bring wine and unwind for an informal and entertaining evening.

For further information, please contact: Anna St. Clair, on 0131 554 4455
OR
email: anna@theceramicexperience.com

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