Pimpernel traditional place mats

Pimpernel is an iconic British brand renowned for its high-quality cork-backed placemats and coasters. The brand was originally founded in 1933 as the Celluware Supply Company by Ruby and Will George in the North East of England. They revolutionized the industry by being the first to add decorative artwork to the face of placemats, turning functional table protection into a form of interior art. The name 'Pimpernel' is inspired by a common British wildflower, reflecting the brand's deep-rooted British heritage.

Following financial difficulties in 2006, the brand was acquired by the Portmeirion Group PLC, a major global homewares company based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Under Portmeirion's ownership, the manufacturing landscape for Pimpernel has evolved. While the brand remains proudly British in design and headquarters, production of the core hardboard and cork placemats was largely moved to China to leverage specialized manufacturing partnerships. However, the Portmeirion Group has recently undertaken a 'reshoring' strategy to increase production within the United Kingdom to improve brand equity and responsiveness. Today, while many items are still produced abroad, a growing portion of the group's wider tableware and homeware output is manufactured at their historic factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

As of 2026, Pimpernel continues to operate as a key subsidiary of the Portmeirion Group PLC, maintaining its reputation as the world leader in traditional table accessories. The brand remains synonymous with classic English style, featuring famous patterns like Botanic Garden and Morris & Co. designs, and is distributed globally through an extensive retail network.