Cobridge Pottery / Elder Works

Cobridge Pottery
Elder Works, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent

Originally named Cobridge Pottery - in 1900 renamed to the Elder Pottery Works

Note: Jewitt (Ceramic Art of Great Britain) identified other pottery factories in Cobridge with similar names:

Cobridge Works - the manufactory of W. Brownfield & Son - erected in 1808 and occupied by Stevenson & Bucknall.
Cobridge Works - established in 1834 by Harding & Cockson. Generally referred to as the Globe Pottery.

There was also a 'Elder Road Works' which was operated by Meakin & Co from 1865 to 1882

Occupiers of the Cobridge Pottery / Elder Works:

From	To	Occupier	Comments
			"At Cobridge are the Manufactories of R. Stevenson, J. & R. Clews. N. Dillon, Mansfield & Hackney, S. Godwin, S. Alcock.." (Shaw's History of the Staffordshire Potteries, 1829). Ward identified John and George Alcock as operating at the factory "late R[aplh]. Stevenson's Works" - John Ward, The Borough of Stoke-upon-Trent, 1843.
1810	1835	Ralph Stevenson	"from the end of 1810, Ralph [Stevenson] was in business in his own pottery factory" Following the strikes and violent protests in Tunstall and Burslem.. "Many of the manufacturers were unable to continue business, and one of the many casualties was Ralph Stevenson and Son. In 1835 the first notice of their bankruptcy appeared in the Staffordshire Advertiser." [26 Dec 1835] 'James, Ralph & Andrew Stevenson. Potters of Cobridge'
1838	Jan 1848	John & George Alcock	The brothers John & George Alcock operated the Cobridge Pottery following the bankruptcy of Ralph Stevenson and Son. They were the nephews of the pottery manufacturer Samuel Alcock George Alcock left the partnership on the 20th January 1848. The business was continued by John Alcock.
Jan 1848	Jun 1849	John & Samuel Alcock, Junior	John Alcock rebuilt the front range in 1848 Samuel Alcock junior left the partnership on the 6th June 1849. The business was continued by John Alcock.
Jun 1849	1861	John Alcock	In 1861 Henry Alcock succeeded John Alcock and the business operated as Henry Alcock & Co.
1861	1910	Henry Alcock & Co Ltd	The works were enlarged in 1880. "Ltd was added to the title in 1900, and the works renamed the Elder Pottery" Jewitt In 1909 Henry Alcock & Co. got into financial difficulty, the company was rescued and in November 1909 manufacturing was moved to the King Street Works, Fenton. The Elder Pottery factory in Cobridge was sold to Soho Pottery who moved in in August 1910.
1910	1944	Soho Pottery Co	"The Soho Pottery Co., Ltd., of Tunstall, have purchased the manufactory for many years carried on by Henry Alcock & Co., Ltd., at Cobridge, and propose removing there in August." The Pottery Gazette - 1 July 1910 The works were reconstructed and enlarged in 1918
1944	2004	Simpsons (Potters) Ltd	In 1944 the company name of the Soho Pottery was changed to Simpsons (Potters) Ltd but without any change in ownership or management. In 1976 the business was purchased by the Pfaltzgraff Company of York, Pennsylvania - the Simpsons name was retained. In 2004 the Simpsons business closed completely. By 2011 the works had been demolished and in 2018 work began on a small housing estate.

Simpson's (Potters) Ltd, Elder Works, Cobridge
in the front is Waterloo Road, to the left Hawthorn Street
on the right is St. Peters Catholic Church

photo: 1966
© City of Stoke-on-Trent

Simpson's Works in 2008
(no longer in business)

the remains of the original arched entrance to the works - the top of the arc and the building
to the right have been demolished leaving these pillars with the initials JA and date 1848 on them

The Elder works became the property of John and George Alcock in 1835.
John Alcock rebuilt the front range in 1848, hence the initials “JA” and the date on the original gate posts.

Waterloo Road - Cobridge - showing a toll booth opposite the potworks c.1870
Photo: late Mr. E.D.J. Warrillow

the same view in 2001
on the left is the pottery works of Simpsons (Potters) Ltd
and St. Peters Church Hall

see more information on Simpsons

contents: 2009 photos