WEDGWOOD MUSEUM TRUST LTD ENTERS ADMINISTRATION

The Wedgwood Museum Trust Ltd can confirm that is has been placed into Administration, although the prize winning Wedgwood Museum will remain fully operational and open to the general public as usual.

The Administration is a necessary step to enable the Wedgwood Group Pension Plan to seek the support of the Pension Protection Fund, the body established to provide a guaranteed minimum level of pension payments to members of eligible pension funds. Five of the Wedgwood Group Pension Plan's 7000-member scheme were employees of the Museum Trust when the Wedgwood companies became insolvent last year, leaving a large deficit in the Pension Plan. As a result, the Museum Trust is now deemed to be liable for the shortfall.

The Museum's Trustees are in discussions with a wide range of stakeholders as to how the Trust's internationally renowned Designated Collections can be preserved, and are determined to ensure the survival of the Wedgwood Museum.

The Trust's Chairman, George Stonier, said: "Bob Young and Steve Currie of the Stoke-on-Trent office of Begbies Traynor, the UK's leading independent professional services firm, have been appointed Joint Administrators of the Trust.  The Museum's Trustees and their advisors are now working hard to find a solution to this extremely unfortunate situation. The Trustees are extremely grateful for the continued support of the Museum's staff and its many friends, and remain optimistic that the Collections will continue to be available to the public in our museum in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent."

It is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm (from 10.00am on Saturday and Sunday).  Admission is £6.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions or £4.50 for children (under fives go free).  For more information, please call 01782 371900 or visit www.wedgwoodmuseum.org.uk