Written ByRobert Moore
Marketing Manager
Rob has over a decade of experience in web and general marketing. He has extensive knowledge of the Insolvency sector and has helped many worried directors with their questions.
Rob is now working with the Board at RMT KSA to develop strategic marketing programmes to support the business plan and drive more company rescues.
There are many reasons why directors don’t act when they are worried about something. Here are a few possibilities:
Overall, delaying action or not taking advice is a common coping mechanism for dealing with worry and stress. However, it often makes the problem worse in the long run, as the task or issue continues to loom and causes more stress and anxiety. It’s important to recognize the reasons behind the business problems and work to address them in order to move forward and tackle the issue at hand.
This is something we can help you do! Call us on 0800 9700539 what have you got to lose!
Moorecraft Pottery Is The Latest Potter To Go Bust
The directors of Moorcroft Pottery have announced the firm has ceased trading after over 100 years, resulting in 57 job losses, according to the GMB Union.In a social media post on Wednesday, the Stoke-on-Trent firm said it had appointed Moore Recovery to handle voluntary liquidation. No reason was given, but rising energy costs have been cited by industry sources.In March, Moorcroft had warned of possible redundancies due to higher costs and falling sales. The closure is another hit to Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery sector—known as The Potteries—which received World Craft City Status last year. Its tourism site states: "We are the World Capital of Ceramics."2025 has been a difficult year for the industry. Royal Stafford also went into administration in February. Other closures include Dudson (2019), Wade (2023), and Johnsons Tiles (2024).In March, Moorcroft reported energy costs had risen by £250,000 in two years. Keith Brymer Jones said no business could survive that."It's incredibly sad news," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "We've been crying out for support for the ceramics industry and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole for years. It's never been considered a major industry in this country."Rob Flello of Ceramics UK urged government intervention. "Successive governments have just hammered the UK ceramics industry with things like carbon taxes and a whole raft of other taxes that these cheap imports just don't have to worry about,"* he said.Chris Hoofe of GMB added: "The closure of Moorcroft is devastating news for workers and their families, but unfortunately it's not a surprise."The Department for Business and Trade stated: *"We know this will be a concerning time for Moorcroft Pottery workers and their families... ensuring the industry is globally competitive as part of our Plan for Change."Brymer Jones emphasized the broader impact: "It's 57 families that are connected to those jobs and the surrounding area... We're bloody good at making stuff here... and we literally can't afford to lose this skillset."Moorcroft has operated in Burslem since 1913. Founded in 1897 by William Moorcroft with help from Liberty, the firm gained royal recognition in 1928 and was later featured in the Royal Collection. The brand has also been favored by US presidents and British prime ministers.Royal Doulton went bust earlier this year. The main driver of this failures is the increased energy costs and the inability of the potters to compete with low cost imports that are not subject to the same costs or environmental controls.
Read