DEMOLITION crews have begun work on the former Royal Doulton factory in Burslem.

The Nile Street factory is being demolished by developers St Modwen as part of a £10 million re-development of the site, which will include a 70,000 sq ft enterprise centre and 140 homes.

Demolition crews work on the main factory building

The landmark building opened in 1877 when Royal Doulton moved its operations from Lambeth in London. In 2004, the company announced that it was to cease mainstream production at Nile Street, with the loss of 525 jobs. The factory closed a year later when the loss-making company was taken over by arch rival Waterford Wedgwood.

The site is now seen as a key part of the Mother Town's regeneration.

Mike Herbert, St Modwen regional director, said: "A construction management team is looking after the technical aspects of the demolition.

"We dealt with the asbestos as a separate contract before the demolition so that is complete and the demolition can carry on safely.

"The process will slow down slightly because we have to protect the existing buildings, but this is a milestone in the site's transformation."

The site will benefit from a £10million re-development

Burslem historian Fred Hughes said it is time for everyone in the town to welcome a new era. He said: "I shall regret that Royal Doulton ever moved out of Burslem. The two have gone hand in hand for so long I thought they were almost inseparable. But these plans for the site appear to me to be the best we could imagine and I welcome them.

"There is a good mix of business and housing. Everyone in Burslem should grab hold of the fact that the pottery industry doesn't exist anymore and never will again."

The St Modwen enterprise centre will provide space for small companies. A courtyard and some of the original building will be saved.

The site, which is in a conservation area, has been boarded up since April 2005.

Burslem residents Sylvia and Kenneth Harris watch as the famous Royal Doulton factory in Burslem is demolished.

Kenneth and Sylvia Harris, of High Lane, Burslem, watched the building being demolished. Both grew up in the area and Sylvia, aged 70, worked there as a gilder after leaving school in 1953 until she gave birth to daughter Anita in 1965.

She remembered her time fondly, adding: "It was terrible seeing it come down. I thought that wouldn't be the one to go. There have been a lot in Burslem that have gone but I never thought that would, because it is the big one."

Mr Harris, aged 71, added that both his mother and father had worked at the plant.

Hazel Filcher, aged 70, has lived in neighbouring Lingard Street for 45 years. She said: "I remember when the streets round this town used to be bustling. I wanted to see a pot bank on that site but that will never happen again. Those times are gone and there are no jobs round here. I wonder if there will be people to buy the new houses they are building because of the lack of work."

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