Wedgwood and Royal Doulton have been chosen to produce commemorative ceramics for the London 2012 Olympic Games in a move that has been warmly welcomed by Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly.
The decision means that WWRD, the company which owns the two leading ceramics brands and their Irish sister firm Waterford Crystal, will have a licence to produce a range of souvenir products for sale this spring.
Profits will go to the WWRD who will then pay a royalty to the Olympic organising committee to help offset the £2 billion cost of the Games.
The licence agreement was welcomed by Paul, who raised the issue before Christmas with Olympics organisers, including athletics legend Sebastian Coe, at a meeting of the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee.
He said: "Wedgwood and Doulton are both iconic brands which exemplify the best traditions of manufacturing in North Staffordshire.
"It is fitting that they should be chosen to produce a range of commemorative products which will not only help them commercially but will also help fund the Games."
‘It is really important that local businesses get as great a spin-off as possible to make sure the 2012 Olympics benefits the whole of the country, not just London.’
Wedgwood and Royal Doulton have been chosen to produce commemorative ceramics for the London 2012 Olympic Games in a move that has been warmly welcomed by Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly.
The decision means that WWRD, the company which owns the two leading ceramics brands and their Irish sister firm Waterford Crystal, will have a licence to produce a range of souvenir products for sale this spring.
Profits will go to the WWRD who will then pay a royalty to the Olympic organising committee to help offset the £2 billion cost of the Games.
The licence agreement was welcomed by Paul, who raised the issue before Christmas with Olympics organisers, including athletics legend Sebastian Coe, at a meeting of the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee.
He said: "Wedgwood and Doulton are both iconic brands which exemplify the best traditions of manufacturing in North Staffordshire.
"It is fitting that they should be chosen to produce a range of commemorative products which will not only help them commercially but will also help fund the Games."
‘It is really important that local businesses get as great a spin-off as possible to make sure the 2012 Olympics benefits the whole of the country, not just London.’