Then & now

Enson Pottery

BUILT in the mid 19th century, Enson Works was once a thriving pottery business in Longton. The original design of the factory was four bottle ovens and a twostorey works range. The inner part is the kiln proper. It is a round structure with a domed roof, the Crown, and its walls are approximately one foot thick. Iron bands known as Bonts, set about twelve inches apart, run right round the circular oven to strengthen it as it expands and contracts during the firing. After its initial construction there were later rebuildings. A courtyard, two-storeyed with arched entrance and a two-storeyed rear wing was built in two phases with an integrated bottle oven. In 1979 the site was granted Grade II Listed Building status. However by the end of the 90s, until around 2007, the once thriving pottery was left derelict, overgrown and neglected. This was until it was given a new lease of life. Today the former Enson Works hosts local artists’ work, historic film screenings and family friendly arts and crafts as part of a heritage project.