Shock closure of enamel firm

An historic Black Country company that made trinket boxes for the Queen has closed suddenly and made all of its staff redundant.

Bilston and Battersea Enamels produced hand-decorated enamel boxes for 40 years, with Margaret Thatcher among its high profile customers.

Today its devastated 15 workers were packing up at the company's Etruria Way studio in Bilston.

A relative of one of the workers, who asked not to be named, said most had more than 25 years experience in the industry, adding: "People were in tears."

In its heyday, the company held licences to reproduce Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter designs. The factory also shipped around 6,000 decorative boxes to 200 retailers in the UK as well as to Japan and America.

It also produced a range of enamel jewellery.

Bosses said today its business model no longer fitted in with the plans of its parent company, Enesco.

Ken Johnson, managing director of Enesco Europe, said: "We are saddened to announce the immediate closure of Bilston and Battersea Enamels.

"Unfortunately the recent poor economic climate has not allowed us to create a business model that fits into our global business."

Enesco features Walt Disney Classics Collections and Lilliput Lane among its most recognisable brands.

Lord Bilston, former MP for the area, said today: "It's awful news. This is a brand which has put Bilston on the world map.

"I remember Margaret Thatcher gave President Gorbachev and President Reagan something from there because it was considered the very best."