Collapse of Royal Stafford a ‘wake up call’

Posted by Finbar Bowie
Monday 3 February 2025
GMB Trade Union - Collapse of Royal Stafford a ‘wake up call’

Britain will lose it’s vital ceramics and pottery industry without action, says GMB.

GMB Union, representing workers across the UK’s ceramics and potteries industry, has today called on the Government to act urgently to save the sector.

The intervention comes after it was announced that Royal Stafford, which has manufactured ceramics in Stoke-On-Trent for nearly 200 years, has collapsed into liquidation.

Over 70 jobs are expected to be lost with immediate effect.

Colin Griffiths, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“This is a wake-up call for the new Government and its industrial strategy.

“Stoke cannot power its kilns with wind and batteries; wishful thinking means spiralling energy costs are now pushing the sector over the edge.

“Meanwhile the illegal importing of foreign forgeries is out of control and driving down orders even further.

“Our ceramic and pottery industry is vital for economic growth and supports thousands of jobs across the UK.

“The time for warm words is over, now we must see action”.

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