Through the Red Gates
It was sometime around 2008,when I first slipped onto the old Spode site. The factory had closed forever not too long before, the gates were locked, and the place was already sliding into decay. But that day, with a couple of artist mates in tow, I found myself standing at the big red gates, peering through at a world that had been sealed off.
A security guard came over. His name was Alan. Along with his colleague, Mick, he was one of the very last employees left at Spode, kept on by the receivers to guard what remained of a once-mighty business. We asked, half-jokingly, if we could come in and have a look around. To my surprise, Alan grinned and said “Yeah, of course. Come on, have a wander.”
And just like that, the gates opened.
An archive and documentation of the iconic Spode Works Factory in Stoke-On-Trent
Entrance to Spode, Elenora Street
Foundation remains of the last bottle kiln on Spode
Section of the Meadows - The Factory Floor, events venue
Front Entrance and main gates of Spode
Loading Bay area the Potbank - Café Area
Shop Fronts on Church Street - BCB Workshop space
Shop Fronts on Church Street - BCB Workshop space
Factory Art Gallery - Part of the Spode Heritage Museum
Engravers' Offices - Potbank Hotel/Apartments
Potbank Production area - Restaurant and Event Space at The Potbank
Section of the Meadows - Events Area/Work In Progress
Banners funded by Dog & Bone Group to coincide with their expansion within the Spode Site
Potbank Expansion
Images have been provided by