THE SPODE MUSEUM TRUST
Museum comprising an extensive collection of ceramics, copper plates, tools, pattern books, paper records and other items recording the history of the manufacture of Spode china from its origin in 1770 all which archive is held upon trust to preserve it as a collection and to advance the education of the public by its exhibition; and a visitor centre on the former factory site at Stoke.
Objects
TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC BY THE EXHIBITION OF THE EXISTING COLLECTION WITH SUCH OTHER ITEMS OF ARTEFACTS OF LIKE CHARACTER AS MAY FROM TIME TO TIME BE COMPRISED IN THE TRUST FUND AND TO PRESERVE THE SAME AS A COLLECTION ("THE COLLECTION").
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £30,555 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total funds increasing to £97,721. Per the trustees' report, there is a reasonable expectation that the Trust has sufficient resources to carry it forward for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year, Spode Museum Trust received a donation of £40,352 (2024: £26,717 ) from SMT Enterprises limited. At the balance sheet date the amount due to SMT Enterprises Limited was £8,295 (2024 - £939). and the amount due from SMT Enterprises Limited was £34,093 (2024: £12,394)” — page 18
“SMT Enterprises Limited (CR No. 9510002) (“SMTE”) to act as its trading arm.”
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: SMT ENTERPRISES LIMITED Companies House 09510002
- Registered office is located at the parent charity's address.
Trustees
- SMT Trustees Limited
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £377k | £346k |
| 31/03/2024 | £58k | £74k |
| 31/03/2023 | £98k | £125k |
| 31/12/2021 | £132k | £110k |
| 31/12/2020 | £64k | £28k |
Common questions
Is THE SPODE MUSEUM TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £30,555 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total funds increasing to £97,721. Per the trustees' report, there is a reasonable expectation that the Trust has sufficient resources to carry it forward for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE SPODE MUSEUM TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE SPODE MUSEUM TRUST as a grant recipient include THE HEADLEY TRUST, ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | FY2022 | £40k | Towards the refurbishment costs, including packing and transport, required to return the Spode collection to the Spode visitor centre. |
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | FY2022 | £2k | Creating a long-term strategy for the conservation, storage, cataloguing and display of the Spode copper plate archive - AUDIT |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 06/12/2019 | £93k | "From Clay to Treasure" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/07/2011 | £50k | "In this Historic Factory." |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | 2 | £24k |
| THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £822k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| THE STREET FOUNDATION | 1 | £21k |
| THE ELMLEY FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
| THE HAWTHORNE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £14k |
| THE BRANSFORD TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- DYSON PERRINS MUSEUM TRUST
- SHARPE'S POTTERY HERITAGE AND ARTS TRUST LIMITED
- THE NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM TRUST LIMITED
- BRAINTREE DISTRICT MUSEUM TRUST
- THE SALISBURY AND SOUTH WILTSHIRE MUSEUM TRUST
- THE STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT MUSEUM TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SPODE MUSEUM TRUST | £377k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DYSON PERRINS MUSEUM TRUST | £298k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| SHARPE'S POTTERY HERITAGE AND ARTS TRUST LIMITED | £143k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM TRUST LIMITED | £3.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRAINTREE DISTRICT MUSEUM TRUST | £451k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE SALISBURY AND SOUTH WILTSHIRE MUSEUM TRUST | £1.8m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |