Royal Stafford, the ceramics manufacturer, has been given a second chance after going into liquidation in February.
The Times has reported that the plant and machinery from the Stoke-on-Trent factory have been bought for £120,000 by Charles Rickards, owner of TG Green, supplier of the iconic blue and white striped Cornishware pottery.
The factory reopened two weeks ago with 17 of the 83 workers who lost their jobs returning, with hopes of more returning to work as production continues.
Charles told The Times: “It was a very heart-warming feeling going there and suddenly hearing all the machines pumping away and the lights came on. Having been there a week earlier where the place was being taken over by the administrators and liquidators, it felt more like a murder scene than anything else.”
Cornishware was a customer of Royal Stafford prior to its collapse, working with them since 2017 to make its bisque product, a stage in ceramics where clay has been dried but not yet painted or glazed. Rickards said three quarters of Cornishware pottery was made at Royal Stafford, meaning the collapse “endangered” his business.
Charles has not acquired the IP of Royal Stafford, so will not continue manufacturing previous designs. He said he will be continuing the bisque side of the business and has already received an order from one of Royal Stafford’s previous clients for £58,000.
