Falcon Works to be saved by council

Steps have been taken to stabilise and protect the site of a historic pottery factory after its owners had failed to address concerns.

The owners of the Falcon Works on Sturgess Street in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, had failed to repairs and maintenance to help prevent further deterioration of buildings on the site, the city council said.

"Our heritage is one of the things that makes this city unique," said councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker. "Once these buildings are lost, they are gone for good, which is why we're determined to act before more damage is done."

The authority said it would seek to recover its costs for the work.

The Falcon Works was established in 1858 and was later owned and expanded by the firm of W.H. Goss.

The surviving buildings, which include two Grade-II listed bottle ovens, date to Goss's time at the site and were considered an important part of Stoke-on-Trent's industrial heritage.