TWO former employees of a Darwen terracotta business have joined forces to launch a clay manufacturing firm after losing their jobs.

Earlier this year Architectural Terracotta Ltd, formerly Shaws of Darwen, made 39 members of staff redundant, which included Jon Wilson and Steve Allen, who have now decided to create Darwen Terracotta and re-employ their fellow craftspeople.

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The redundancies occurred as a result of a decision to close the architectural terracotta and faïence at Shaws to allow the business to focus more on sink manufacture, continuing as Shaws Since 1897 Ltd.

The firm, based in Waterside, Darwen was famed for working on a number of prestigious projects including the restoration of the Albert Hall and work on the Hackney Empire, replacing terracotta designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham in 1900.

Other projects that the company was involved in included a large scale renovation contract at the Natural History Museum.

The original Shaws of Darwen, which was founded in 1897, split its manufacturing between fireclay Belfast sinks and architectural terracotta in 2009, creating new companies.

Mr Wilson said it was devastating when the Architectural Terracotta division closed at Shaws and said it was vital that the staff’s extraordinary skills were not lost.

He said: “When Shaws closed its architectural division this left a big gap in the market for both restoration and new-build products.

“We were market leaders in handmade terracotta and faïence and were experiencing a very buoyant market with the largest order book in my 35 years with the company. Our reputation was outstanding, having completed some of the most prestigious buildings in both the UK and USA.

“It was very important to Steve and myself that we could re-employ our friends and rebuild the team that has been so successful for so many years.

“We’ve secured around nine jobs so far and we are hoping in the future we can nail down some abroad.”

The new business has 25 staff working at its 36,000sq ft factory in Whitebirk, Blackburn.

Darwen Terracotta has successfully secured a number of sizeable restoration projects including Wigan Town Hall, Harrods, Soho Theatre and three schemes for the London Underground.