Tales of the Urban Explorer: John Tams Ltd

"Oh, what's that over there", one of us said. As this dialogue is now over a year ago I can't remember who.

We were looking for a factory, a very run-down one, and had unknowingly found it by accident. It wasn't supposed to be here but somehow was. These mysteries sometimes are never solved.

Dumping the car on a side street we took a long walk around the former 'John Tams Ltd' building noting part of the interior as we could see it from the back through a small narrow slit.

‘It’s another shithole”, I remarked to @anidiotexplores who was feasting his eyes on the insides with an almost maniacal glee.

...'a possible way in, but what's behind the black gates?'...

Noting my comrades’ frothy rabid expression, I pointed out that it was not a come-worthy derp and he should try and cool his feverish excitement.

…was it end-of-day jubilance, I am not sure?…

We did have one more explore before heading north and it had been an extremely productive trip. The adrenalin was still flowing and I wondered if this was going to be our next success or another miserable fail.

The former Crown Pottery Works was established in the late 18th century and was once a flourishing business. In 1874 it was bought by John Tams and continued until 2006 when the doors were finally closed.

Since then the building has suffered from numerous arson attacks, the latest being in 2021. There are plans to convert the entire factory to apartments. To date, nothing has happened.

Source

We vaulted a wall and entered a derelict-looking area filled with bottles, used rubbers, used rubber packets, and yes..., used syringes. Just the place for an opening I was thinking.

I didn’t take too long and once again, the humble shopping trolley came to our aid. I have gotten used to wobbly boxes and trolleys, and armed with my black 'thieving gloves', hauled myself in without any issues.

We had barely gotten inside when I spotted this tunnel, and more pointedly the rails. Indoor trams for moving their pots about more productively.

If it was pottery, then it would need to be a smooth ride, or there would be mass breakages.

We quickly noticed that we were not alone. A bunch of teenagers were in another section of 'John Tams Ltd', a lot more elevated than us. They appeared to see us as some kind of evil monsters and scampered away quickly like frightened mice.

You can just about make them out in the upper top left corner windows. We didn't give a shit if they were there or not. I wasn't even wearing my 'cop' jacket, sheesh..., pussies.

It became apparent that 'John Tams Ltd' was indeed a fire-bombed shithole that was only ever frequented by teenagers, drug addicts, or crazy urban derp specialist explorers such as us. I never wanted to be a 'derp specialist', it just happened.

Yes, that James is a cunt, fuck him.

I was hoping this roof section was not going to collapse beneath my feet and used my inside knowledge that buildings this old were made of very sturdy stuff.

It might not look so dark and creepy but without any lights, you would see a very different image.

It was not long before we came upon a very 'bunt-looking room. I figured there may be lots more of them coming soon.

'Vincent Triner' appears to be above board and only using his company card for fuel. 2001 it says, the last few years of the business being open. A sterling employee.

I had to look hard for paperwork but there were bits here and there, all around the same date. I am surprised it’s not all been burnt.

2004, and I am struggling to read this one. It doesn't appear to be a monetary demand from the bank.

Signs of renovation going on, perhaps before the closure; well, that was a large waste of company funds?

Surely not a grow, or ex-grow? Those pipes often make me feel that is what happened.

Lots of vandalism but also lots of pieces of furniture, mostly in small parts and good for nothing besides helping to fuel the next arson attack.

The artists in Stoke-On-Trent seem quite talentless. There were plenty of walls waiting for some decent art, but all we saw was a load of crap.

Perhaps someone could explain what this contraption is? It was relatively undamaged compared to everything else.

Orange metal solidified objects in a line.

Some types of brushes, and maybe once a conveyor belt at the bottom.

I noted the date of this achievement. It could have been issued on the same day the employees were given their marching orders. If Vikki could hang around for the next few years, she could use her skills in 'Drug Misuse' very effectively here.

A very burnt room, with what looks like a blackboard with scrawling attached.

@anidiotexplores searches for anything that may get his interest. Historic vintage pornography from the 1970s, walls plastered with girls showing their vaginas, discarded cheap blow-up dolls. It was sadly not to be and we decided enough was enough.

There must have been an alternative exit as the 'teenagers' had left by the time we backtracked to the 'trolley'.

We did see them outside and from a distance by which time they had gained some confidence and were pointing and laughing at us.

We waved back cheerily, blew some kisses, and made our way back to the car.

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