Emma Bridgewater - Spot on for 25 years

Emma Bridgewater - Spot on for 25 years

Emma Bridgewater started designing pottery in 1985.

She created both the shapes and the patterns that decorated them and, from the beginning, her wares were made in Stoke-on-Trent. Her first factory was in Longport but in 1996 production moved to the present site in Hanley.

At first she only produced hand-decorated spongeware and freehand painted wares. In the 1990's she introduced lithographic decoration with many patterns designed by her husband, Matthew Rice.

The company has continued to expand and today is one of the largest and most successful pottery firms in Stoke-on-Trent.

Emma Bridgewater occupies the factory that was originally built by Charles Meakin
- the Meakin brothers owned a number of pottery works and were one of the most successful exporters in Stoke-on-Trent

"Charles Meakin had a manufactory for American granite-ware at the Eastwood Pottery, Lichfield Street, from 1883 to 1889."

The Eastwood Pottery, which had been established by Charles, was absorbed in the larger company of his brothers James and George in 1887. The Eastwood Pottery was a well-planned factory with three biscuit and four glost ovens, the whole lay-out being designed to ensure effective labour-saving production.

The Eastwood factory was sold in 1958 and the Meakin company concentrated their work at the nearby Eagle Pottery.

Emma Bridgwater now occupies the Original Eastwood Works

1907 advert for the Meakin Eagle and Eastwood Works

advert from.....
1907 Staffordshire Sentinel 'Business Reference Guide to The Potteries, Newcastle & District'

a montage of Bridgewater adverts throughout the 25 years

Bridgewater advert
Father's Day - 17th June 2007

Emma's husband Mathew Rice and his father

contents: 2010 adverts