• In 1946 William Henry Bailey operated as a pottery wholesaler in the High Street, Tunstall.

• Manufacturing was started in 1952 at nearby Sandyford and then at Paradise Street, Tunstall.

• William H. Bailey died in 1955 and the business was continued by his wife Irene P. Bailey. 

• In 1958 the business was moved to larger works on Butterfield Place, Tunstall. The directors were Irene P. Cooper (neé Bailey) and Frank E. Cooper. 

• It is recorded that in 1968 the pottery was taken over by Mr. J. M. Sadler (son of the late Mr. John Sadler) - [A Handbook of British Pottery Manufacturers 1900-2010; Michael Perry]

• The business got into financial difficulties and in September 1971 it was voluntarily wound up and the assets sold. It was able to continue as Summerbank Pottery (1970) Ltd.

• From 1991 the directors are listed as being from the Savage family. 

• In February 2001 the business was again voluntarily wound up and continued as Summerbank Pottery (2001) Ltd.

• By 2004 the business was again in financial difficulties and in April 2004 it was voluntarily wound up and remained closed. 

The London Gazette
2 March 2001

notice of voluntary winding up under a liquidator 

The London Gazette
7 May 2004

notice of voluntary winding up under a liquidator 

Unfortunately William Bailey died in October 1955 in the midst of the production process and completion of the project fell to the new proprietor, his wife Mrs Irene Bailey. The models, made to exacting standards, were released in February 1956 and were an immediate success.

Summerbank Pottery, however, had limited production capacity and production of the models was soon suspended in favour of less intricate ornamental wares."

[A Handbook of British Pottery Manufacturers 1900-2010; Michael Perry]