23 May 2013

Quartzelec was privileged to meet His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on his recent Royal visit to Middleport Potteries where they have recently been granted the contract to complete a full design and build of the electrical and mechanical installation on the traditional red brick Grade II* listed buildings.

His Royal Highness has recently made a return trip to visit Middleport Pottery in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent to assess the progress of an £8.6 million project to safeguard manufacturing at the site.  During the visit he met with various contractors including Quartzelec employees involved in the full design and build of the electrical and mechanical installation in the traditional red brick Grade II listed buildings. 

“The project at Middleport Pottery is the perfect example of finding solutions using what is already there. Working together to re-use buildings, refurbishing them in honour of their history and heritage, leads to sustainable regeneration.”  HRH The Prince of Wales.

This is the second visit made by The Prince of Wales this year to the Middleport Pottery, the last working Victorian ceramics factory in the UK, famed for producing Burleighware pottery.

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust acquired the site in June 2011 to save it from closure and embarked on a long term conservation and regeneration project. Construction works began in autumn 2012 following emergency works that ensured the safety and integrity of the buildings. The pottery also remains operational throughout the development work.

Martin Broughton, General Manager of Quartzelec Manchester is thrilled to be working in collaboration with Tony Townend of William Anelay on this prestigious project. “We have completed numerous restoration schemes together and are delighted to be adding this project to our ever expanding portfolio. This project is particularly complex given the Grade II listed status however our team has a clear understanding of the requirements and is working in close partnership with Tony Townend and the other pottery staff on-site to ensure a cost effective solution is developed and delivered in a tight timescale.”

The site is being repaired and renovated to not only save the pottery and an estimated 50 jobs, but to house other suitable new businesses and establish an education and heritage centre that will serve to make Middleport a hub of creative traditional crafts for people to use, visit and enjoy.