A PETITION to save the iconic Poole Pottery has warned that the town will “forever regret” the closure.

The document was put online on Sunday and has already received over 600 signatures.

There is still hope in the town that the owners, Denby Holdings, will come to an agreement with the landlords or the council to keep the shop open.

They have so far been unable to reach an agreement with the property’s landlords and have set October 15 as the approximate date that they will stop trading.

Even if an agreement cannot be reached, there is a possibility that the shop could move to a different building and continue trading.

On this, Sebastian Lazell, Managing Director of Denby Holdings, said: “We are grateful of any support in locating an alternative site for ‘Poole Pottery on the Quay’. The specification for our store isn’t an easy one to find, but we are happy to look at any possible options.”

The online petition is addressed to Cllr Mohan Iyengar, who has signed it himself. He said: “I support it. Let’s see what we can do. I’m behind keeping Poole Pottery in the town centre. I am keen for it to remain in the area, even if it’s not in that building.”

Susan Smith, from Poole Pottery Collectors Club, put the petition online. The club are independent from the shop and are urging the council to help the pottery. They warn: “The town is already suffering like so many others in the closure of other retail outlets and if the pottery closes Poole will lose that which makes it unique from any other seaside town. To lose something that is known worldwide would be a blow that the town would forever regret.”

Mrs Smith told the Echo: “The pottery is very important to the town. It’s a crying shame and something that shouldn’t go. The petition shows that. It brings lots of tourism to the town.

“The pieces they make are stunning. Coachloads come to the town and go into the shop. With all the empty property in Poole, it seems bizarre to me.”

Poole Pottery was established in the town 150 years ago and has been a tourist attraction there for decades. News of the closure has been a shock to many tourists and residents.

Anne Legerice is visiting the area from Wales, she said: “We are staying in Bournemouth and we only came to Poole because we wanted to see the Poole Pottery.

“You come to Poole, you want a piece of Poole Pottery.”

Peter Trickett, from Poole, added: “The pottery is synonymous with the town and it is a big reason why people come to the quay in the first place. If you speak to the landlords of the pubs and the restaurant owners in and around the quay, they’ll tell you how important it is to hold onto this historic pottery.”