Oxfordshire businesswoman losing money because of heatwave

Scorching temperatures mean Charlotte Manser is unable to fire the kilns because the computers cut off when the room becomes too hot.

The 31-year-old said she has been operating at one fifth of her capacity since May due to the prolonged heat.

With temperatures inside the workshop hitting over 40 degrees in recent weeks, this has meant she is only able to fire one kiln at a time.

Charlotte Manser in Charlotte Manser Ceramics which is based in a barn in Wantage (Image: Steven O’Gorman / SWNS)

Now, Charlotte Manser Ceramics which is based in a barn near Wantage, is struggling with added costs, reduced hours and a huge backlog.

Ms Manser said: “There are quite a few challenges when you are firing five different kilns and they turn off when the room gets too hot.

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“Since the middle of May really we have been at really low capacity with our firing. It significantly lowers the amount of stock we produce.

“The room is hot and we are also unloading a kiln which is hot.

“It is too uncomfortable and we are just not prepared for this weather as a country and as a business.”

Charlotte Manser (Image: Steven O’Gorman / SWNS)

Ms Manser, who started her business six years ago, said she has tried to fix the issue with air con units and extractor fans but the barn is still too hot.

She has looked at getting more ventilation for the room to draw the hot air out, but they were quoted £10,000 for this to be installed.

The potter has been working early hours from 6am to try and avoid the peak of the heat, but sending her five staff members home early is costing her even more money.

It is also costing her double to fire the kilns, due to the price of re-heating them after they had turned off.

She added: “It is quite a significant cost for a small business.

“We have had to send staff home early which is then an expense for me because I still have to pay them but they are not producing.

“It is my responsibility to make sure my employees are in a safe place. When people are getting so hot that they are getting headaches then that is not a safe environment.”

The business is also making much less money, as they have been producing less stock and have needed to cancel pottery classes due to the conditions.

The company would normally fire around 2,000 products a week, but are now making closer to 500.

Charlotte Manser (Image: Steven O’Gorman / SWNS)

At this time of year, which is usually a quieter season, they would be preparing for their peak time of Christmas, but they have been unable to due to the backlog.

The delay has also meant Ms Manser was unable to take on a wholesale order for September – costing tens of thousands of pounds alone.

She said it is time consuming sending emails to customers to inform them that their products are being delayed.

Ms Manser said: “This is the third month of it being just unbearable. It is just creating such a backlog.

“Our turnover can increase three times in the months over Christmas. We just haven’t got the kiln capacity at the moment to be able to prepare.

“It is very nice for your social life when the weather is sunny but as a business it is a bit stressful.”

The business has faced weeks of this issue in previous years, but never as long as three months.

Despite the troubles, the businesswoman is not worried about the future, as she says she knows how to adapt.

The art lover started making pottery on a broken pottery wheel in her grandad’s shed, and adapted her business to be online during the pandemic.

She added: “I know that we are really adaptable. That is a skill you have to develop when you are running a small business.”