The Potteries

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The Potteries is a well-recognised name for the industrial area in Staffordshire, England which includes the city of Stoke-on-Trent and its surrounding towns of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove.

The area forms a conurbation with a population of 362,403 (2001 census), of which 259,252 live in Stoke-on-Trent, 74,427 live in Newcastle-under-Lyme and 28,724 live in Kidsgrove. Stoke itself is a federation of six towns, Hanley, Burslem, Longton, Stoke-upon-Trent, Tunstall and Fenton. Several other places in the area were once independent urban districts, such as Audley, Smallthorne, and Wolstanton.

The Potteries is so named because the area became a centre of ceramic and porcelain production in the 17th century due to the local availability of clay, salt, lead and coal. Hundreds of companies produced decorative or industrial earthenware and stoneware goods. However, the industry has dramatically declined in recent years. Famous names such as Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Spode are still based in the area.

Stoke-on-Trent is administered as a unitary authority, whereas both Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove are part of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

External links

• [The Potteries website]
• [Photographs — Bottle Oven — Stacking and Firing]

 

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