The Phoenix Works
The Phoenix Works was built in 1881 by Thomas Forester to satisfy the tremendous demand for Majolica both at home and abroad. Thomas died in 1907 but the business was successfully carried on by his descendants until the clean air act of 1956 which prevented the use of the enormous coal fired bottle ovens (two of which still remain on the site to this day). Thomas Forester commenced business at a small manufactory in High Street; and as his business rapidly increased, he took additional premises in Church Street. These he shortly afterwards took down, and built upon their site a new manufactory – the Phoenix Works – which he completed in 1879. The premises gave him greater scope for his enterprise and, extending his connection, they were soon found to be too small for his requirements. He therefore purchased the adjoining china manufactory and completed his enterprise by joining the two works together, thus making one factory with six large ovens and every other possible convenience and appliance. The works enlarged with the business, and the business with the works, till Mr. Forester's manufactory ranked among the most important pottery establishments of the locality.
The Phoenix Works
The Phoenix Works was built in 1881 by Thomas Forester to satisfy the tremendous demand for Majolica both at home and abroad. Thomas died in 1907 but the business was successfully carried on by his descendants until the clean air act of 1956 which prevented the use of the enormous coal fired bottle ovens (two of which still remain on the site to this day). Thomas Forester commenced business at a small manufactory in High Street; and as his business rapidly increased, he took additional premises in Church Street. These he shortly afterwards took down, and built upon their site a new manufactory – the Phoenix Works – which he completed in 1879. The premises gave him greater scope for his enterprise and, extending his connection, they were soon found to be too small for his requirements. He therefore purchased the adjoining china manufactory and completed his enterprise by joining the two works together, thus making one factory with six large ovens and every other possible convenience and appliance. The works enlarged with the business, and the business with the works, till Mr. Forester's manufactory ranked among the most important pottery establishments of the locality.