Royal Stafford China (Props: Thomas Poole and Gladstone China Ltd)

Manufacturer of Bone China at the Cobden Works, Edensor Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

The origin of the Royal Stafford name:

The trade name 'Royal Stafford' was introduced by Thomas Poole in the early 1900s. Some sources give as early as 1900 and others 1906-7.
In 1948 Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd and Gladstone China (Longton) Ltd were acquired by a new public company - Thomas Poole & Gladstone China Ltd (TPGC Ltd) - this was controlled by the Poole family.
In 1952 Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd was renamed to Royal Stafford China Ltd and Gladstone China (Longton) Ltd was renamed to Gladstone China Ltd - both under TPGC Ltd control.

Continuation of the Royal Stafford name:

In June 1970 the Gailey Group Ltd (owners of British Anchor Pottery Co Ltd) acquired control of Thomas Poole & Gladstone China Ltd (TPGC Ltd) and they folded their British Anchor business into the acquisition.
TPGC Ltd adopted its new owner's Hostess Tableware brand, registering the name as Hostess Tableware Ltd and using it as the umbrella for the group's pottery interests including British Anchor earthenware and Royal Stafford bone china.
In 1973 Alfred Clough Ltd acquired Hostess Tableware Ltd which also brought Royal Stafford China Ltd and British Anchor Pottery Co Ltd into the Clough Group.
A list of Clough subsidiaries published in July 1975 lists Royal Stafford China Ltd. operating at the Cobden Works.
In 1978 the name of the Clough Group was changed to Grindley of Stoke (Ceramics) Ltd. and Royal Stafford China Ltd was sold to John Maddock & Sons Ltd. in Burslem and manufacturing moved there.

The move to Burslem:

John Maddock & Sons experienced financial difficulties and in December 1980 entered into receivership.
In January 1981 the Maddock's Newcastle Street, Burslem factory; stock and the rights to the Maddock and Royal Stafford names were purchased by Nubell Ltd.
Nubell Ltd was owned by the entrepreneur David Quayle (best known as the founder of the UK based DIY chain B&Q.)
In June 1981 Nubell Ltd Changed its name to Royal Stafford China Ltd.
It is noted (but need verifying) that in 1988 County Potteries PLC, the owner of Carlton Ware Ltd and James Kent Ltd, acquired Royal Stafford China Ltd.
In 1989 County Potteries went into receivership but Royal Stafford China continued to trade.

The merger with Barratts of Staffordshire :

In 1992 Royal Stafford China merged with the struggling Barratts of Staffordshire to form Royal Stafford Tableware Ltd. Manufacturing was concentrated on the Baratt's Overhouse Pottery in Burslem.

The trade name 'Royal Stafford' was originally introduced by Thomas Poole in the early 1900s.
Some sources give as early as 1900 and others 1906-7.