The UK pottery industry has suffered another significant blow as Royal Stafford, a historic ceramics firm based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, has entered liquidation. The closure has left 83 employees jobless, with just minutes’ notice to collect their belongings and vacate the premises.
Royal Stafford, which operated for over 200 years at the Royal Overhouse Manufactory, called in administrators from Moore Recovery on Tuesday. Employees, many of whom had dedicated years to the firm, were handed official closure letters moments before a factory-wide announcement directed them to leave. Some staff members arriving later were met with locked doors, with reports that building locks had been changed before they could collect their belongings.
Robert Morley, GMB union representative and one of the affected employees, described the abrupt shutdown as “devastating.” He criticised the lack of communication from management, stating: “They could have let us know, but we got nothing. No information, nothing.”
The Royal Overhouse Manufactory site in Burslem has a history dating back more than 200 years
Administrators cited a “dramatic reduction in orders” and escalating energy costs as key reasons behind the firm’s collapse. A spokesperson for Moore Recovery emphasised that “every avenue possible” had been explored to keep the business viable, but without sufficient forward orders, it was unsustainable.
The ceramics sector has been struggling with rising operational expenses, particularly energy prices, which have made it difficult for manufacturers to maintain profitability. Additionally, the GMB union has pointed to the illegal importation of counterfeit pottery as a factor undercutting British-made ceramics.
Royal Stafford’s closure is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Stoke-on-Trent pottery industry. The region, historically regarded as the heart of British ceramics, has seen multiple factory shutdowns in recent years, including Dudson in 2019, Wade Ceramics in 2022, and Johnson Tiles in 2023.
Mr. Morley warned that without government intervention, the industry could face further decline: “The pottery industry can’t afford all the price hikes. Why hasn’t the government come in and tried to help? There’s going to be no pots left in Stoke-on-Trent.”
A GMB union meeting has been scheduled for Thursday to support affected workers and discuss next steps. Meanwhile, Moore Recovery has announced plans for a closing-down sale, with details to be provided in due course.
Housewares retailers, suppliers, and industry professionals will be watching closely to see how the loss of Royal Stafford impacts the broader market. As demand for quality British ceramics persists, the challenge remains in sustaining UK-based production amidst rising costs and foreign competition.
