Want Stoke-on-Trent news emailed to you direct from our journalists? Sign up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

One of Stoke-on-Trent's best-known pottery manufacturers has collapsed into administration.

Workers received the bombshell news after turning up for their shifts at Tunstall's Dudson factory this morning and being directed to a meeting in the canteen.

They were told that administrators have been called in and were asked to leave the premises.

A total of 318 of Dudson's 390 employees have been made redundant with immediate affect, while the remaining 72 staff will be retained to support the closure of the business.

The jobs news follows weeks of speculation regarding the health of the company after the firm sold its Furlong Mills clay-making business to Portmeirion and Churchill China. The claims were consistently denied by the company when approached by StokeonTrentLive.

Workers have told StokeonTrentLive that they were paid yesterday - instead of today which had raised suspicions.

One Dudson supervisor said: "We were all called into the canteen this morning and told that the company was no longer trading and that we would all be made redundant.

"There are hundreds of people affected in Stoke-on-Trent and I expect that number to grow because they operate all over the world.

"We were paid our wages yesterday instead of today as we were supposed to but we still don't know what to do about holiday pay and other money that we are owed."

The Scotia Road-based firm has been making tableware, glassware, and fine china since 1800.

Now union bosses are supporting workers who have not been consulted regarding any redundancy packages.

GMB organiser Wendy Greiveson said: “This is another devastating blow for the pottery industry.

“It is outrageous that staff were simply told the company was bust and to leave the premises with no notice whatsoever.

“Dudson has clearly failed in its duty to consult. As a result GMB will be pursuing a protective award on behalf of our members."

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth has described the news as 'devastating.'

She said: "This is absolutely devastating for our community and for the staff. Dudson has existed for 220 years and it's heartbreaking for the workforce, their families and for all of us who live in the Potteries.

"I have been in contact with the administrators, the unions and the British Ceramic Confederation and I will be speaking to the Government later about what support can be offered to the sector, in light of the announcement from Dudson and the recent news about Wedgwood."

Want to tell us about something going on where you live? Let us know - Tweet us @SOTLive or message us on our Facebook page. And if you have pictures to share, tag us on Instagram at StokeonTrentLive.