Stoke Potteries
The Potteries at Stoke had a major influence on development and route of the Trent and Mersey canal with Josiah Wedgewood taking a keen interest in the project as he needed a safe means of transport to get his delicate goods around the country, to ports such as Liverpool and of course to London.
The development of the canals with the Trent and Mersey opening in 1777 fuelled the growth of Industry in Stoke as the restraint of logistical problems for both materials and goods was now solved, turning the local pottery industry founded at least as far back as the 17th Century into a booming centre of commerce that served not only England but the growing Empire as well. This resulted in the Victorian city, which is the basis of Stoke today … not that the Victorians would recognise too much of it.
The original site was of course chosen for its abundance of raw materials: Clay, Salt, Lead (for glazes ) and Coal that could be found locally or obtained without going too far away. The event of the canals extended the boundaries from which resources could be gathered resources and effectively opened the door to global marketing as well, as they provided access to the ports of Liverpool and Hull. So on this basis Factories could be developed, which in turn allowed for the specialisation of skills and research into new techniques.
In 1769 Wedgwood himself built one of Britain’s first large factories, in Etruria and familiar families and names from the 18th Century such as Joseph Spode I, Thomas Minton, the Wood family, and Thomas Whieldon helped develop an industry in Stoke that soon claimed world renown.
1800 saw Spode’s son, Josiah Spode II, developed a fine bone china (porcelain)that helped ensure the success of both marketing and reputation.
The original pottery towns then began to expand into each other eventually amalgamating into the City of Stoke –on –Trent in 1925.
From the canal side the old Pottery Factories are still in evidence, with the odd Bottle Kiln still surviving here and there together with remnants of old quays and wharfs that served them in their day The Burleigh Factory ( Middleport Pottery ) and factory shop is accessible from its own moorings and is worth a visit while further east along the canal you will find moorings for more modern factory shops selling Wedgewood, Doulton and other local makes of china, often at a considerable discount.