The Shropshire Union wharf took in coal, china clay, and raw materials and sent out finished pottery in crates made on site. Hazel branches were trimmed into stakes, soaked in the canal to make them pliable, then used to make crates.
If you look closely at the end wall of the warehouse today you can just about make out the full name of the original owners, the "Shropshire Union Railway & Canal Company", quite remarkable given that the canal closed over 60 years ago. It is still used for storage and is in remarkably good condition given its age. On the corner of the site furthest from the canal the original wharf manager's house is still standing and again the painted company name can just be made out, high up. See if you can find it, if you visit the site. It is visible from the bottom of Navigation Road.
This area would be an obvious focal point for a restored canal, to be used as an arrival point for visitors and potentially as a meeting space and cafe. A recent study done on behalf of Burslem Port Trust looked at options for the way the warehouse and wharf might be used.
