Royal Doulton to close last UK factory

Luxury ceramic tableware manufacturer Royal Doulton has said it is to shut its last UK factory with the loss of 525 jobs.

The closure of its factory in Stoke-on-Trent in 2005 will slash the company's worldwide workforce by 17%.

The company plans to develop another small factory in Stoke with 50 staff to be transferred there.

Some production of high value items will be transferred to the new plant, while the balance will be moved overseas to cheaper locations abroad.

In total, the restructuring will lead to an exceptional cost of £8.5m (€12.5m) in the 2004 accounts, Royal Doulton said.