Latest news with #WillMoorcroft
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent's William Moorcroft-designed vase sells for £31k
A 111-year-old Moorcroft vase has sold for what auctioneers claim is a record-breaking sum for the brand, of £31, Flambe Carp vase, designed in about 1914 by Staffordshire potter William Moorcroft, sold on Woolley and Wallis said it was the highest price a Moorcroft piece had ever been sold for at auction, breaking a record of £26,840, set when the same vase sold in sale came days after Stoke-on-Trent-based Moorcroft Pottery, which collapsed in April, was bought by Will Moorcroft, grandson of William Moorcroft – the firm's founder. Michael Jeffrey, a specialist with Salisbury-based Woolley and Wallis, said the sale came at a "poignant time" for the factory, workers and told BBC Radio Stoke he was "amazed" at the amount it sold for, having set an initial guide price for the sale of between £6,000 and £10,000. "Obviously it's a wonderful piece and Moorcroft collectors remember it from last time," he added. "I think Moorcroft being in the news the whole time helped."The double gourd-shaped vase is decorated with three carp fish swimming around it, painted in a technique mastered by Mr Moorcroft called Jeffrey said the winning bid was made by a private collector and the vase would be staying in the same bidder also bought a similar Moorcroft vase during the auction for £25,200. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ex-Moorcroft pottery workers 'overwhelmed' after firm bought
Former workers have said they felt "overwhelmed" after collapsed pottery firm Moorcroft was bought by the founder's Stoke-on-Trent-based company went out of business in April after more than 100 years, leaving its 57-strong workforce without Saturday, it emerged that Will Moorcroft, grandson of founder William Moorcroft, had purchased the company and was hoping to restart operations at its Cobridge to the news, Claire Spate, who worked at Moorcroft for 27 years, told BBC Radio Stoke: "I was so happy that it had gone to Will… I was overwhelmed." She said everyone who had worked there was "so chuffed" the company was back with the founder's family."It means so much to us all," she added. "If you cut my heart open, Moorcroft is in the middle, as it is with all the staff who have ever worked there." Mr Moorcroft said he was considering moving production away from its site in Burslem and focusing solely on the Cobridge said he hoped to bring back at least 30 of the 57 workers who lost their jobs in Spate said she would be "ecstatic" if she was one of those who was asked to return."Every single person who goes back is going to be 100% behind Will and we've got to make it work," she said."The product is so beautiful and I'm so determined when we go back that it will be more popular than ever." 'Emotional rollercoaster' Beverly Berry, a former painter and designer who worked at Moorcroft for 36 years, said the last few weeks since she lost her job there had been "horrendous" and she had applied for multiple said hearing the news of the firm being purchased was "absolutely amazing"."It's back where it belongs, back in the Moorcroft family. That's where it should always be," she added."It's been an emotional rollercoaster and it's gone up to the top at the moment." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grandson of Moorcroft founder buys bust firm
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 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." 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. 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 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. 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. On 30 April they issued a statement that the company was to be liquidated. 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." 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. 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." 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. "I think to have such a product, to carry on its existence, is tremendous for everybody." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Pottery firm goes bust after more than 100 years Minister pledges support to pottery industry Pottery firm plea to help industry 'on its knees' Pottery boss 'optimistic' for industry's future Moorcroft
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Grandson of Moorcroft founder buys bust Stoke-on-Trent firm
Moorcroft Pottery, which stopped trading at the end of April after more than 100 years in business, has been returned to family 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 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." 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 the do best, which is producing beautiful Moorcroft," 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 brand was popular with US presidents and British prime ministers, and has a following among collectors around the winning a number of prestigious international awards, Moorcroft was appointed as potter to Queen Mary in firm's royal patronage continued when the late Queen Elizabeth II added Moorcroft designs into the Royal March, bosses at the firm warned of redundancies, stating their energy costs had gone up by almost £250,000 over the past two 30 April they issued a statement that the company was to be liquidated. 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."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. 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."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."I think to have such a product, to carry on its existence, is tremendous for everybody." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
