Diary 2007

Welcome to the Diary Page for 2007.
We will try to keep you up to date with all the going ons at Portmeirion and Kings and Queens so check this page throughout the year to see sneak previews of new products, learn about retirements and hear about changes at Kings and Queens.
50% OFF
selected Holly & Ivy
50% OFF
Selected Christmas Story
Kings and Queens are pleased to be able to offer 50% OFF selected lines in both the Holly and Ivy and Christmas Story Ranges. All pieces are 1st Quality but there are restricted stocks available and all orders will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
February/March 2007

February sees the announcements of new products for 2007. There are line extensions for many of the popular patterns and some brand new ranges being launched.

Sophie Conran, Laura Stoddart, Botanic Blue and Crazy Daisy

Following the fantastic success of the new patterns in 2006, 2007 sees the launch of the second phase for each of them
Sophie Conran
There are line extensions in both the ceramic and glass ranges of this popular collection. Most new ceramics are presented in white with a few items also being introduced in biscuit. Undoubtedly the white has been the most popular colour way but there were many problems with availability throughout 2006 but we are assured by Portmeirion that this has now been addressed and all new ceramic items are available immediately with the new glass due to be available from June/July 2007
Use this link to view the New Sophie Conran
Laura Stoddart
Up The Garden Path is another success from 2006 that sees a second launch of products. The giftware pattern, with quotes from Oscar Wilde, continues with its gardening theme and there are line extensions in both textiles, giftware and ceramics. The new ceramics include Teapot, cream and sugar while the new gardening Apron and Gardening Bag make it the perfect present for those with green fingers. New items in the Laura Stoddart range are due to be available in March/April 2007. The availability dates are shown for each individual item.
Use this link to view the New Laura Stoddart
Botanic Blue
The key to this patterns success is not only the appeal of the pattern but also the fabulous presentation packing. The new items include 6" plate to make the ceramics a more complete and practical collection along with giftware and new storage boxes. New items in the Botanic Blue range are due to be available in March/April 2007. The availability dates are shown for each individual item.
Use this link to view the New Botanic Blue
Crazy Daisy
Crazy Daisy sees 3 main launches with new ceramics, Textiles and Trays. The immediate popularity of Crazy Daisy took everyone by surprise and once again this pattern suffered from availability issues. Portmeirion are committed to improving this situation in 2007 and have decided to invest in Crazy Daisy making it a more complete range. The new ceramics include teapot, cream and sugar along with some storage jars and a little cookware. The pattern lends its self to the textiles and trays fantastically and these are sure to be popular. New items in the Crazy Daisy range are due to be available in March/April 2007. The availability dates are shown for each individual item.
Use this link to view the New Crazy Daisy

Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden begins 2007 with a few new introductions and a number of motif changes. New to 2007 is the new shaped tea set. Designed in the "Traditional Shape" This is the first new teapot shape in 15 years and is designed to complement the popular "Traditional" teacup and saucer. Other new items include a colander and oil burner in ceramics and perhaps the best new introduction is the presentation cutlery. Teaspoons and pastry forks both really good quality and presented in fabulous gift boxes are amazing value for money. For those of you who have been collecting Botanic Garden for many years I know they have never got cutlery right before but this time I think it may be different.
The cutlery is not dishwasher safe but we are assured that it will keep its beauty and not fade away which has been the problem previously is washed in mild detergent by hand. There are also a number of motif changers in the range as the new Rhododendron, launched in 2006 on 10" plates and mandarin mug starts to appear on more items.
The web site has been updated to show the new motif but there is always a transitional period where we do not know whether an individual item will be supplied in the old or new motif. Unfortunately this means that the piece could be supplied in either the old or new motif. If you have a preference please say so in the "Notice to us" space on the order form. Please bear in mind though if the old motif is exhausted we will have to supply the piece in the new design and if you would prefer the new design this may delay your order as the new motif will not begin until Portmeirion have exhausted their stocks of the old
pattern. 2007 is also the 35th Anniversary of Botanic Garden and a small range of commemorative ware has been produced to make this mile stone. The new Eden Mugs are big and bold and come in 6 different motifs like never before. A good new rounded shape makes the extremely tactile and a great alternative to the more traditional mugs already in the range. Some new Botanic Garden Items will not be available until later in the year, items availability dates are shown are shown on each individual piece.
To see all the new items in the range please use this link New Botanic Garden
Pomona
Pomona sees less changes than Botanic Garden. the New Traditional Tea set is also launched in Pomona along with the Eden mugs. As yet there are no notifications of motif changes. Availability dates for new items in Pomona are shown on individual pieces.
To view the new Pomona please use this link New Pomona
Mugs
There are also new china mugs in the Portmeirion mug range as well as the introduction of Eden mugs. The new china mug designs will be available May/June 2007
To view the new china mugs please use this link New China Mugs
Trivets
A range of Trivet designs both traditional and contemporary as well as in motifs to match the main Portmeirion collections. The Trivets are stain resistant and can withstand temperatures of up to 100°C. The Trivets will be available in March
To view the new trivets please use the link New Trivets
New Glassware
Portmeirion introduce 4 new ranges in 2007. Stella Glass is a practical range of both drinking glasses and bowls. Decorated by butterflies this is a very attractive range which can either be used to compliment Botanic Garden or collected as a stand alone range. Stella Glass will be available May/June 2007
Other glass ranges being introduced throughout 2007 are Aster, Honeysuckle and Dahlia. These ranges will be available in June/July 2007.
To view all the new glass ranges from Portmeirion please use the link New Glassware
Rose Bouquet
The only complete new range of ceramics for the first half of 2007 is Rose Bouquet. A quintessential British range of table and giftware, Rose Bouquet has been created to bring classic design back to the table. The range also includes tablemats and trays. The trays and tablemats are available immediately but the ceramics are not due to be available until April/May 2007

To view the new Rose Bouquet Collection please use the link New Rose Bouquet

To learn a little more about this new pattern, visit our Rose Bouquet Information

January 2007
Happy New Year to all our customers and grateful thanks for your support during 2006.
+ + + Latest News + + +

Portmeirion have just announced their intention to retire Gingko with immediate effect.
A shock announcement as the pattern has only been available for less than two years and has been growing in popularity over the last few months.
In addition further extensive retirements have been announced in Strawberry Fair. We hold stocks of both patterns but all items are now subject to availability.

The end of 2006 saw the introduction of some popular patterns; Sophie Conran, Crazy Daisy, Botanic Blue, Tracy Beaker and Up The Garden Path have all been run away successes, unfortunately this has caused major supply problems over Christmas. The root of the problem was Portmeirion underestimated the demand for these pieces but then made a difficult situation worse with inaccurate information about deliveries. Unfortunately we were told that we would receive items in good time for Christmas right up until the last week before we were finally let down at the last minute. We apologies to everyone who was disappointed especially customers for Sophie Conran and Tracy Beaker products.

Lets hope for an improvement in 2007 as Portmeirion are aware that there were major supply problems last year which need to be addressed urgently

Changes

Most changes to the existing ranges for 2007 will be announced during February, but we do know about is Botanic Roses where the Polar Star motif will be replaced by Tamara Peach in all sets. We will alter the site once the Polar Star motif has been exhausted

Retirements
There are a number of retirements in 2007. Some were expected but it is sad to see Splat disappear from the range. Splat is retired immediately and although we hold some stock availability is limited. Splat has been such a popular range it is hard to see why it would be retired but if rumours about a falling out between Rob Scotton and Portmeirion are true then it would seem to be a potentially costly row for the company.
Other Ranges to go are Soho, Botanic Garden Jewellery, Max and other Rob Scotton Mugs and selected items from the existing ranges.
It is likely that Dusk will also be retired at some point this year although no final decision has not been made yet.
View Diaries From Previous Years

(Not all links function on previous years diaries)


2003
2004
2005
2006