This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/5394738.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China firm quits after 250 years China firm quits after 250 years
(about 1 hour later)
Fine porcelain maker Royal Worcester has ended production in a city that has been its home for more than 250 years.Fine porcelain maker Royal Worcester has ended production in a city that has been its home for more than 250 years.
The last 15 production workers left the Worcester firm's Severn Street factory on Friday. Work has been moved to Stoke-on-Trent and abroad to cut costs.The last 15 production workers left the Worcester firm's Severn Street factory on Friday. Work has been moved to Stoke-on-Trent and abroad to cut costs.
The firm that bore the city's name and the Royal warrant, was founded in 1751 and has made some of the finest porcelain in the world.The firm that bore the city's name and the Royal warrant, was founded in 1751 and has made some of the finest porcelain in the world.
The old factory is provisionally part of a new redevelopment in Worcester.The old factory is provisionally part of a new redevelopment in Worcester.
'Redundancies inevitable''Redundancies inevitable'
At its height, the firm employed nearly 1,000 people but changing tastes and cheaper imports have seen that number fall drastically.At its height, the firm employed nearly 1,000 people but changing tastes and cheaper imports have seen that number fall drastically.
Only porcelain painters now remain at the site.Only porcelain painters now remain at the site.
About 100 staff were made redundant in 2003 and another 100 went in 2005.About 100 staff were made redundant in 2003 and another 100 went in 2005.
At the time, management said the redundancies were inevitable due to falling demand for traditional products, and were part of a restructuring of its manufacturing.At the time, management said the redundancies were inevitable due to falling demand for traditional products, and were part of a restructuring of its manufacturing.
The site is now in line to be part of the new Waterside redevelopment, which could see up to 400 homes, shops and cafes being built in Worcester.The site is now in line to be part of the new Waterside redevelopment, which could see up to 400 homes, shops and cafes being built in Worcester.
The Royal Worcester and Spode group has operations in Stoke-on-Trent and North America.The Royal Worcester and Spode group has operations in Stoke-on-Trent and North America.
One hundred workers are being made redundant from Royal Worcester Porcelain on Friday.
The staff from the Worcester firm were originally told in January 2005 that they would be losing their jobs.
The losses equate to a third of the workforce at Royal Worcester's factory in Severn Street.
Management says the redundancies were inevitable due to falling demand for traditional products, and are part of a restructuring of its manufacturing.
The job losses fall across several sectors of the business, including manufacturing, retail and design.
Retrained
The layoffs follow 100 staff cuts which were made in November 2003.
The 200 employees who remain with Royal Worcester will be retrained so the company can focus on the production of ornamental, giftware and prestige ranges.
A sale of surplus land around the company's headquarters has been proposed as part of the restructuring.
The Royal Worcester and Spode group also has operations in Stoke-on-Trent and North America, which have been left relatively unscathed by the latest round of job cuts.