Victoria Works, (Coronation Works) Stoke

The works were established in 1882 by James Robinson, Edward James Leadbeater & Robert Leason and operated as the Victoria Pottery Company.
In 1883 Robert Leason Left the business. The Victoria Pottery Company continued to c.1889.
From c.1887 the firm of Sandland, Bennett & Co operated at the Victoria Works, Lonsdale Street, Stoke. The partners were William Sandland, George Bennett and Emma Gray. They manufactured decorated earthenware for a variety of uses.
July 1893 the partnership was dissolved - William Sandland and Emma Gray left the business and George Bennett continued as George Bennett and Company.
George Bennett operated the Victoria Works, Lonsdale Street, Stoke from 1893 to 1902. He was in partnership with Henry Edward Hill - trading as "George Bennett & Co"
October 1907 Hill retired from the business and Bennett continued on his own.
The works were renamed 'Coronation Pottery' - after the coronation of Edward VII in August 1902, following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.
George Bennett sold the business c.1902 and presumably it was the new owners who renamed the business 'Coronation Pottery'
Bennett changed his business to become an Auctioneer, Valuer and Estate Agent, specialising in Potters valuations at 87 Liverpool Road, Stoke and subsequently King's Chambers, Stoke. He died in January 1916.
In 1907 the works were operated by Eli Steele & Co. (Sentinel Trade Directory)
From 1947 'Ltd' was added - Coronation Pottery Company Ltd.
At some time the business was owned by a family named 'Spares'
Subsequently the business was purchased by a Mr. Crow (based in London) and managed by his brother-in-law Ernest Frost - at that time a Mrs. Bowler managed the decorating shop and Arthur Forster was the fireman.
The were two bottle kilns on site which were eventually replaced by two electric kilns,
In the 1960's Coronation Pottery stopped producing pottery and the premises became a cash and carry warehouse.
Around 2008 the works were sold with planning persmission for conversion into houses.

The Victoria Pottery Company

"The works of this company, in Lonsdale Street, were established in 1882 by Messrs. Robinson, Leadbeater & Leason for the manufacture of the higher class of majolica and ivory or cream-coloured earthenware.

In these, they produced all of the usual varieties of useful and ornamental goods; the desert services, game-pie dishes and other articles were of more than average excellence. The firm was of very short duration."

Jewitt, Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900

Sandland, Bennett & Co
advert 2nd June 1890

"With this issue we publish a sheet of illustrations of the latest productions of Messrs. Sandland, Bennett, & Co., earthenware manufacturers, Victoria Works, Stoke-on-Trent.

It will be noticed that Messrs. Sandland, Bennett, & Co. are alive to the necessity for bringing out novelties. We understand they have recently made some additions to their premises, and as they have at the same time introduced some of the latest mechanical appliances, they express their ability to execute all orders quickly."

The Pottery Gazette, April 1891

advert for Sandland, Bennett & Co
from 1892 Keates Directory

courtesy: Staffordshire Potters, 1781-1900 R.K.Henrywood

Bennett & Co
advert 1st November 1893

London Gazette, 6 November 1883

notice that Robert Leason left the business
of the Victoria Pottery Company

London Gazette, 25 August 1893

Notice the the company of
Sandland, Bennett and Co was dissolved and
George Bennett was continuing on his own
as George Bennett & Company

London Gazette, 15 October 1897

notice that Henry E Hill was retiring from the partnership
and George Bennett was continuing on his own

1898 map showing the location of the Victoria Works
to the far left is the Newcastle to Stoke canal
between the canal and the Victoria Works is the vast Trent Potteries (later renamed the Crescent Potteries)
of George Jones and Sons

Some of the Stoke Potteries in 1947
from: Pottery Gazette & Glass Trade Review Reference Book Directory, 1947

5	Wiltshaw & Robinson, Ltd.
6	W. T. Copeland & Sons, Ltd.
7	Mintons, Ltd.
8	Goss China Co., Ltd
9	Kirkhams
10	Biltons (1912), Ltd.
11	George Jones & Sons, Ltd., Cauldon Potteries, Ltd., and Coalport China Co., Ltd.
12	Coronation Pottery Co.

Stoke town centre in June 1933
the location of the Coronation Pottery is shown in blue

photo: Britain from Above

closer view of the Coronation Pottery on the corner of Lonsdale Street and Cornwallis Street

the two bottle kilns

the view from the south-west
the Coronation Pottery is at the bottom right
and at the top of the photo can be seen Stoke Church

the works in 1935 - Londale Street to the front
the works in 1935 - Lonsdale Street to the front

the former works in 2013

picture: Bing Maps

The former Coronation Pottery Works (earlier was the Victoria Works)
photos: 2008

the courtyard had two bottle ovens which were later replaced by electric kilns

the side of the works in Cornwallis Street

for sale sign - still with the name "Coronation Court"

Eli Steel & Co
Coronation Pottery,
Lonsdale Street
Earthenware manufacturers

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