The works were originally built in the 1790s and last used as a pottery manufactory in the early 2000s. 

Along with the Spode factory, the Top Bridge Works is the earliest surviving example of a fire proof pottery works. 

The two storey range with rear yards and bottle ovens (only one remains) has been much modified over time and like many pottery factories it backs onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The Top Bridge pottery, remaining bottle kiln and warehouse are all listed buildings but apart from the bottle kiln which was restored in 2004 the remainder is in very poor condition. 

From

To

Occupier 

Comments

1793

1887

Davenports

A succession of the Davenport family operated at these works. First at the Brindley and Bourne works - then around 1830-35 the works built by Robert Williamson were purchased by Davenports

1881

c.1893

Thomas Hughes

Thomas Hughes (& Son)

Around 1881 Thomas Hughes purchased the Top Bridge Works from Davenports and he moved his business here from the Waterloo Works, Burslem.

In 1888 Hughes also purchased the adjacent Longport Pottery from Davenport and by 1893 he had started to move his business from Top Bridge Works to the Longport Pottery (which he renamed the Unicorn Works). 

c.1891

1903/4

W & E Corn

1962

2003

Price & Kensington Potteries Ltd

In 1962 Kensington Pottery Ltd relocated to the Top Bridge Works from the Kensington Works in Hanley. 

Price Brothers and Kensington Pottery were both subsidiaries of the Arthur Wood Group and they were amalgamated to make one company.