Pottery firm Moorcroft has ceased trading with 57 people losing their jobs, it has been announced today.
The closure comes after failing to find a buyer for the firm – which once supplied pottery to Her Majesty The Queen – and is the latest blow for Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry.
A statement by the firm reads: “It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors announce the closure of W. Moorcroft Limited with immediate effect. The closure comes after an extended period of intense marketing, which regrettably did not result in a buyer who could proceed with a sufficient level of investment.
“The 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. The closure of the business has resulted in the redundancy of 57 employees, some of whom are being supported by the GMB Union.”
Employees were warned about potential redundancies in February.
Moorcroft closed with immediate effect today and Stoke-on-Trent insolvency firm Moore Recovery has been instructed by Moorcroft directors to assist in placing the company into liquidation.
The statement adds: “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.
“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.
“Moore Recovery have been instructed by the Directors as a result of their considerable experience in this field. They are hopeful that a buyer for the assets and brand can be found together with a suitable outcome for Moorcroft’s highly skilled workforce.”
Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are sorry to hear this news.
“Moorcroft has been a major part of Stoke-on-Trent’s proud heritage in ceramics.
“Our teams have been working closely and intensively with Moorcroft to try to find a solution, but unfortunately this has not been possible.
“The fact is global and national headwinds – including high energy prices and a rash of cheap, illegal forgeries from overseas – have made life very difficult for manufacturers.
“We have lobbied – and will continue to lobby – the government to provide specific support for this vital and valuable sector.
“Our priority now is providing support for affected employees through our JET (Jobs, Enterprise, Training) service to provide prompt and effective help in finding new jobs.”
The first pieces of fine art pottery from Moorcroft were aunched in 1897, designed by William Moorcroft whilst he was employed at James Macintyre & Co. Early Moorcroft is much prized by the most renowned auction houses across the world and regularly fetches high prices.
William moved production to the present factory in Sandbach Road, in Burslem, in 1913 under the name of W. Moorcroft Ltd. The company was appointed ‘Potters to H.M. The Queen’ 15 years later.
Moorcroft used proprietary glazes and distinctive slip-trailing methods pioneered by William Moorcroft at the end of the 19th century.
The labour-intensive process produced colourful designs which have gone into the homes of various former US Presidents, British Prime Ministers, famous actors and singers.
The company’s site is home to a Grade II-listed bottle oven as well as a Heritage Visitor Centre and Museum.
- The news of Moorcroft’s closure comes after Royal Stafford, also based in Burslem, entered liquidation earlier this year. Former Royal Stafford customer Cornishware, based in Somerset, has since restarted manufacturing at the site reemploying more than a dozen workers. Read more of that story here.
