Wedgwood demise a 'severe blow'

About 600 people are employed at the Barlaston factory

Any buyer of Waterford Wedgwood should keep production in Stoke-on-Trent, the city's mayor has said.

The firm, which employs about 600 staff in Barlaston, called in administrators after it was hit by falling sales following the economic downturn.

Mayor Mark Meredith said it was a severe blow to the city and the company's workforce.

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello said he believed the Wedgwood arm of the business had been profitable.

Deloitte has been appointed administrator, to seek buyers for different parts of the company.

I think Wedgwood actually is profitable from the figures I've seen and the conversations I've had

Rob Flello, Stoke-on-Trent South MP

Mr Meredith said the firm was a "worldwide symbol" of the city and said "we must not allow that to disappear".

He said the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership would work to retrain any workers made redundant by the firm.

He said: "It is a severe blow to Stoke-on-Trent and the Wedgwood workforce.

"It shows the real impact that the global financial crisis and looming recession are having on our city.

"I hope very much that a buyer can be found who will retain design and production in Stoke-on-Trent."

City 'reinventing itself'

He described the news as a "sad day" for ceramics in the city.

"But we must not forget that there are many successful ceramics companies in the city," he said.

"Ceramics are still very much part of the future of Stoke-on-Trent and I very much hope that Wedgwood will continue to play its part in producing the world's finest pottery in the city."

Mr Flello said: "I think Wedgwood actually is profitable from the figures I've seen and the conversations I've had.

"I think it was the Waterford part that perhaps dragged it down.

"So I would like to see somebody come forward, buy up Wedgwood, let it continue, let it be profitable, let it continue to make good quality, fantastic quality ceramic ware here in Stoke-on-Trent, and have a good future ahead of it.

"Let's be optimistic about that".

Eric Knowles, BBC Antiques Roadshow china expert, said it was a "sad day, a very sad day" for the city.

"However, Stoke is starting to reinvent itself," he said.

"There are a lot of companies starting off small and gathering success, and that's what happened in Wedgwood's day.

"So maybe what goes around, comes around. I'm forever an optimist."