G Woolliscroft & Son Ltd

George Woolliscroft first appears in the trade directories in 1865 as a beerseller and brick & tile manufacturer at the Eagle and Child Inn in Chesterton. By 1868 he was also listed as a builder and manufacturer of blue bricks, chimney tops, drain pipes, roofing ridge & pressed floor tiles. He had expanded his interest by 1878 to include grocer and draper! In 1879 there was the appearance of George Woolliscroft and Son at Etruria. The Chesterton side of the business had been added by 1884 and in 1889 the firm is listed as having premises at Canal Tileries, Etruria, Patent Tile Works Hanley and Joiners Square. In 1904 the business is listed as George Woolliscroft & Son Limited, Melville St, Hanley; Chesterton; & Canal Tileries Etruria. The Melville Street premises continued in use producing tiles until quite recently and was demolished in 2009.

This wall capping brick was a popular design and can be found outside many houses around Hanley.