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Grandson of Moorcroft founder buys bust Stoke-on-Trent firm Grandson of Moorcroft founder buys bust Stoke-on-Trent firm
(2 days later)
Will Moorcroft said he was very proud to have picked up the keys to his grandfather's factoryWill Moorcroft said he was very proud to have picked up the keys to his grandfather's factory
Moorcroft Pottery, which stopped trading at the end of April after more than 100 years in business, has been returned to family ownership.Moorcroft Pottery, which stopped trading at the end of April after more than 100 years in business, has been returned to family ownership.
The company has been bought by Will Moorcroft, whose grandfather William Moorcroft built the factory on Sandbach Road in Cobridge in 1913, with support from London department store Liberty.The company has been bought by Will Moorcroft, whose grandfather William Moorcroft built the factory on Sandbach Road in Cobridge in 1913, with support from London department store Liberty.
The firm had remained in the family until 2006 when Mr Moorcroft's father retired.The firm had remained in the family until 2006 when Mr Moorcroft's father retired.
"It's nice to have the opportunity to bring it back into the family fold," Mr Moorcroft said. "I'm very proud to have been able to pick up the keys.""It's nice to have the opportunity to bring it back into the family fold," Mr Moorcroft said. "I'm very proud to have been able to pick up the keys."
Mr Moorcroft said he would like to see "as many of the staff as we can bring back" but that he was unable to guarantee all 57 workers would be able to return.Mr Moorcroft said he would like to see "as many of the staff as we can bring back" but that he was unable to guarantee all 57 workers would be able to return.
"We'll do our best to make it work, and get everybody back who wants to come back doing what they do best, which is producing beautiful Moorcroft," he said."We'll do our best to make it work, and get everybody back who wants to come back doing what they do best, which is producing beautiful Moorcroft," he said.
He added that they were considering moving production away from the site in Burslem, moving the firm solely to the original factory on Sandbach Road.He added that they were considering moving production away from the site in Burslem, moving the firm solely to the original factory on Sandbach Road.
The firm's factory and museum is based on Sandbach Road in CobridgeThe firm's factory and museum is based on Sandbach Road in Cobridge
The brand was popular with US presidents and British prime ministers, and has a following among collectors around the world.The brand was popular with US presidents and British prime ministers, and has a following among collectors around the world.
After winning a number of prestigious international awards, Moorcroft was appointed as potter to Queen Mary in 1928.After winning a number of prestigious international awards, Moorcroft was appointed as potter to Queen Mary in 1928.
The firm's royal patronage continued when the late Queen Elizabeth II added Moorcroft designs into the Royal Collection.The firm's royal patronage continued when the late Queen Elizabeth II added Moorcroft designs into the Royal Collection.
In March, bosses at the firm warned of redundancies, stating their energy costs had gone up by almost £250,000 over the past two years.In March, bosses at the firm warned of redundancies, stating their energy costs had gone up by almost £250,000 over the past two years.
On 30 April they issued a statement that the company was to be liquidated.On 30 April they issued a statement that the company was to be liquidated.
The company's products have become sought-after collectibles due to their highly intricate, handmade designsThe company's products have become sought-after collectibles due to their highly intricate, handmade designs
Mr Moorcroft said issues such as energy costs and global markets did weigh heavily on his mind, and that refreshing the brand would take hard work.Mr Moorcroft said issues such as energy costs and global markets did weigh heavily on his mind, and that refreshing the brand would take hard work.
"The faith in the product is there," he said, "we just have to ensure that we can get the collectors – new and old – to keep the faith.""The faith in the product is there," he said, "we just have to ensure that we can get the collectors – new and old – to keep the faith."
He added that he felt it was a family firm, not only in terms of his personal connection, but also through that of the skilled pottery workers who were part of the company.He added that he felt it was a family firm, not only in terms of his personal connection, but also through that of the skilled pottery workers who were part of the company.
Each of Moorcroft's products are handmade, in a process that requires a skilled workforceEach of Moorcroft's products are handmade, in a process that requires a skilled workforce
The company's local roots are also an integral part of its heritage, he said.The company's local roots are also an integral part of its heritage, he said.
"It's made in Stoke-on-Trent, it's got the backstamp to show that, all the staff are local, it stays local and for the city it's fantastic news for it to be continuing.""It's made in Stoke-on-Trent, it's got the backstamp to show that, all the staff are local, it stays local and for the city it's fantastic news for it to be continuing."
He said his plan was to resume production, ensuring the brand and its products continued to be made along with the potential for new designs and new products.He said his plan was to resume production, ensuring the brand and its products continued to be made along with the potential for new designs and new products.
"It's all handmade, it's an iconic brand that over time has reached every corner of the world," he said."It's all handmade, it's an iconic brand that over time has reached every corner of the world," he said.
"I think to have such a product, to carry on its existence, is tremendous for everybody.""I think to have such a product, to carry on its existence, is tremendous for everybody."
‘I’m excited, overwhelmed, proud’
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