The fireplace at Bernard Leach's pottery as it looks today. Courtesy the Leach Pottery Restoration Project.

Plans to acquire and restore the former home and pottery of Bernard Leach, one of the world’s most famous ceramicists, have been given a major boost following the announcement of a £610,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Led by Penwith Council in partnership with the newly formed Bernard Leach (St Ives) Trust, the Leach Pottery Restoration Project aims to open the iconic ceramicist’s workshop to the public creating a museum interpreting his life, work and legacy.

A venue of international significance, the pottery in St Ives was once at the centre of the studio ceramic movement with Leach living, working and teaching on site.

Leach in front of the fireplace during the pottery's heyday. Courtesy the Leach Pottery Restoration Project.

Speaking to the 24 Hour Museum, project trustee, working potter and ex-Leach Pottery student, John Bedding explained that the HLF’s decision is a significant moment "for the nation, for the county and for St Ives."

He continued: "In all three respects it’s so important because he was such an iconic figure, a one-off historical figure in the pottery world. He was the only one of his kind and he did so much to put studio ceramics on the map."

Born in Hong Kong, Bernard Leach (1887-1979) studied at the Slade School and London School of Art, before spending 11 years between 1909 and 1920 living in Japan and China. Whilst there he learnt traditional methods and styles of pottery, establishing a life-long friendship with renowned potter Shoji Hamada.

On his return to England in 1920 he set up the Leach Pottery in St Ives and, as a maker, mentor to many successful potters and writer of repute, had a huge impact on British studio pottery.

Regarded as one of the great ceramicists of the 20th century, Leach’s workshop and cottage in St Ives have long been focal points for British pottery, so when the current owners decided to sell it was feared the site may be in danger of being lost.

Leach's pottery is famous the world over and he is still a revered figure in ceramics. Courtesy the Leach Pottery Restoration Project.

With HLF backing the Leach Pottery Restoration Project can now begin the process of acquiring it, conserving its two listed buildings and creating a new studio training facility and museum.

The grant represents a major step forward for the project that is supported by a series of organisations including Cornwall County Council, Tate St Ives, Arts Council South West, the Royal Cornwall Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

However, as John explained, there is a long way to go: "We’re still only halfway down the path," he said. In total the trust needs to raise £1.7 million and further applications have been made to the Arts Council and the South West Regional Development Agency.

But, as John put it, the HLF grant means "the largest hurdle has been got over."