The six towns of Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton are known as the Staffordshire Potteries.
With raw materials, such as clay, coal and water locally available, the area became the centre for pottery production in the early 17th century. As transport systems improved with the introduction of canals and railways in the 18th and 19th centuries, the industry flourished.
In 1956 the Clean Air Act forced the distinctive bottle ovens, belching black smoke across the area, to be replaced by cleaner gas or electric fired ovens. Coupled with cheap imports from Asia, the potbanks struggled. Now many of the buildings associated with the industry lie abandoned.
There have however been some wonderful restoration programs, and the area is now truly on the "tourist map" with visitor centres and factory shops. Some buildings have been converted to other uses, such as small business units and workhops. But sadly many lie empty and derelict.