Ex-staff 'overwhelmed' as collapsed pottery bought

Claire Spate said she would be "ecstatic" if she got her job back

Former workers have said they felt "overwhelmed" after collapsed pottery firm Moorcroft was bought by the founder's grandson.

The Stoke-on-Trent-based company went out of business in April after more than 100 years, leaving its 57-strong workforce without jobs.

On Saturday, it emerged that Will Moorcroft, grandson of founder William Moorcroft, had purchased the company and was hoping to restart operations at its Cobridge factory.

Reacting 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."

The firm went bust in April as the ceramics sector struggled with high energy costs

Mr Moorcroft said he was considering moving production away from its site in Burslem and focusing solely on the Cobridge factory.

He said he hoped to bring back at least 30 of the 57 workers who lost their jobs in April.

Ms 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 jobs.

She 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."