Why did Aynsley’s Stoke-on-Trent factory close in 2014?

The closure of the Longton factory was announced in 2014, with associated job losses. The Belleek Collectors Newsletter, which made the announcement, describes the closure of the Aynsley factory and links it to Belleek as the parent company, with the final closure occurring around Christmas. Announcements of the closure often cite low order levels and the challenge of UK manufacturing costs. For collectors, the 2014 is a useful line of reference, as items with the classic "Made in England" stamps are often made before this period, and these are often the items that buyers have in mind when they talk about "traditional Aynsley". After the closure, Aynsley branded items may still be original, but the manufacturing history is different from the Longton era when the name was created.