{"id":289,"date":"2025-05-01T14:42:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T14:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/?p=289"},"modified":"2025-05-06T00:12:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T00:12:31","slug":"much-loved-pottery-firm-suddenly-closes-after-128-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/much-loved-pottery-firm-suddenly-closes-after-128-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Much-loved pottery firm suddenly closes after 128 years"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Moorcroft\t<\/div>
Moorcroft Pottery has been an important part of Stoke-on-Trent since it was founded in 1897 (Picture: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An iconic pottery firm has gone bust after more than 100 years of trading.<\/p>\n

Moorcroft Pottery, based in Stoke-on-Trent at the heart of the UK\u2019s pottery region, has shut with immediate effect, putting 57 people out of work.<\/p>\n

Directors had warned of job cuts in March and worked to find a buyer in the weeks leading to the closure.<\/p>\n

Bosses said in a statement: \u2018The company faces an increase in energy and other costs, in a difficult trading environment with a global cost of living crisis. This has resulted in a seemingly unsustainable financial position.<\/p>\n

‘The board of directors wishes to thank each employee for their unique heritage skills and commitment to the art pottery during a very challenging economic period.<\/p>\n

‘The directors have pursued every avenue possible to save the business, however they have been left with no other option than to engage the services of a local insolvency firm to place the company into liquidation.’<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Woman\t<\/div>
The pottery industry has been at the heart of Stoke since the 1700s (Picture: REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"STOKE\t<\/div>
The remaining kilns of Gladstone Pottery, Longton, pictured in Stoke on Trent, England (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Union organiser Chris Hoof told Metro: ‘The closure of Moorcroft is devastating news for workers and their families, but, unfortunately, it\u2019s not a surprise.<\/p>\n

‘The government must act and act now to support the ceramics sector and protect workers in this sector.’<\/p>\n

Moorcroft was founded in 1897 and by 1928 it was appointed as Potter to HM The Queen during the reign of George V and Mary.<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II added Moorcroft designs into the Royal Collection and the company won many prestigious international awards.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the collapse of Moorcroft, a spokesman from the British Ceramic Confederation said: ‘This regrettable news underscores the significant challenges currently facing the UK ceramics sector, including soaring energy costs, increased international competition, and a difficult trading environment.<\/p>\n

\u2018These pressures are making it increasingly difficult for even established and celebrated manufacturers to remain viable.<\/p>\n

‘Ceramics UK is actively engaging with the government and relevant stakeholders to highlight the urgent need for support for our vital industry.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Outside\t<\/div>
Organisations are calling for more support for businesses like Moorcroft (Picture: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tRise and fall of an industry\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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The pottery industry in Stoke traces its roots back to the mid-17th century, thanks to an abundance of clay.<\/p>\n

There was a boom in the yearly 1700s and by World War Two, half the town\u2019s population was employed in the industry.<\/p>\n

However, over recent decades, there has been significant decline with the closures of Dudson in 2019, Wade in 2023, Johnsons Tiles in 2024, and Royal Stafford in February.<\/p>\n

The collapse of the industry has been put down to: <\/p>\n