TIMELINE:

■ 1877 – Henry Doulton purchases the Pinder, Bourne and Co factory in Nile Street, Burslem. ■ 1960s/70s – Royal Doulton at its peak, employing 7,000 workers, including 1,800 at Nile Street. ■ 2004 – Royal Doulton announces that its Nile Street HQ will close with the loss of 525 jobs. ■ 2008 – St Modwen, which bought the site, secures planning permission for a £10m redevelopment, including 140 homes and an enterprise centre. Most of the site is cleared in preparation for the scheme. ■ 2012 – St Modwen says development of the site has slowed due to the recession. ■ 2018 – Government agrees to provide £10m to help develop nine sites in Burslem, including Nile Street. ■ 2019 – St Modwen announces plans for 200 homes on the site.