A pottery business in Wantage, Oxfordshire, is facing operational challenges as prolonged high temperatures have disrupted production. Charlotte Manser, owner of Charlotte Manser Ceramics, reports that elevated heat levels inside her workshop have forced her to reduce output significantly since May.

The workshop, located in a converted barn, has experienced internal temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in recent weeks. This has caused the kilns, essential for firing pottery, to shut down automatically due to overheating of their computer control boards. As a result, Manser has been able to operate only one kiln at a time, representing about one-fifth of the firm's normal capacity.

Manser described the ongoing situation as a serious financial burden for her small business. She said the heatwave has created a substantial backlog of products awaiting firing, further straining operations. While she acknowledged the benefits of sunny weather for social activities, she emphasized its adverse impact on her work.

The pottery firm’s difficulties highlight how extreme temperatures can affect small-scale manufacturing processes reliant on climate-sensitive equipment, adding pressure to businesses already adapting to changing environmental conditions.