Wedgwood workers return after three-month pause

Workers at the ceramics firm Wedgwood are returning to work after the factory paused production for more than 90 days due to "lower consumer demand".

The temporary shutdown of the Staffordshire plant began on 29 September, with workers returning on Monday.

Owner Fiskars Group said Barlaston and its community were of "key importance" to Wedgwood and had an "enduring role in heritage and operations".

It comes as the GMB union calls for more support to help futureproof the ceramics sector, as part of a new report containing policy ideas they want the government to adopt.

Firms which went bust in 2025 included Royal Stafford and Heraldic Pottery as well as Moorcroft Pottery, which was later bought by the grandson of the firm's founder.

In September, Fiskars Group said the Wedgwood shutdown was happening "to address elevated inventory levels caused by lower consumer demand in some of our key markets".

The Wedgwood site produces high-end and bespoke designs, including handcrafted fine bone china pieces and Jasperware, a type of pottery developed in the 18th Century by founder Josiah Wedgwood.

At the time of the shutdown, Tom Hammersley, marketing manager at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said the drop in demand came against a backdrop of increasing costs.

Mr Hammersley said: "Wedgwood has huge global demand in areas including China and Japan. If that demand is slowing, and married with the increasing costs, it is a huge concern."

Dr Allison Gardner, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, had said she wanted to reassure people that it was "not something to worry about" and that the shutdown was "a simple response to seasonal fluctuations".

Chris Hoofe from the GMB Union said it was "fantastic news" that people would be back at work on Monday.

"Hopefully the plan Wedgwood has put in place has worked, I'm sure we'll get an update in the coming days or weeks."

He added: "Hopefully this is a blip in the road, that means everything can return to normal for GMB members working at Wedgwood."

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