Credit union for pottery workers

A credit union which has been planned for more than eight years to help former pottery workers has been set up in Staffordshire.

The not-for-profit Staffordshire Credit Union, based at the Dudson Centre, in Hope Street, Stoke-on-Trent, is due to open on 5 January.

Kevin Waters said the union would be open to all residents, not just former pottery workers.

More than 700 people have signed a pledge to support the union.

The credit union is open to anyone who lives, works, volunteers or studies in Staffordshire.

Mr Waters, who set up the National Police Credit Union during his 32-year career as a constable for Staffordshire Police, said research by Liverpool's John Moores University in 2000 had shown there was a need for a credit union to support people on low incomes living in the north of the county.

He has been trying to open one up ever since and said it was one of three credit unions in Staffordshire.

It will accept deposits of up to �10,000 and eventually aims to be able to offer loans of up to �5,000.

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