Redundant workers set up blue glass firm to keep heritage 'alive'

Redundant workers launch blue glass firm to keep heritage 'alive'

Glassblower David Barry is due to open Bristol Glassworks Ltd in the coming weeks

Staff from a historic glassmaker that shut because of rising costs have said they will launch a new business to help keep the heritage of glass blowing "alive".

Bristol Blue Glass, which made specialist glassware for nearly four decades, closed in May after rising costs forced it to make its staff redundant.

The new firm, Bristol Glassworks Ltd, will produce blue glass as well as other colours, using what it described as modern designs.

Glassblower and co-director David Barry said that after the wave of support following the May closure, it was a "no-brainer" to start up again and that he "felt a sense of duty to bring blue glass back to Bristol".

"My business partner Nick and I were very keen to keep the heritage of glass blowing alive in Bristol, it's a dying trade. The tradition has been going for more then 300 years," Barry said.

"We were absolutely devastated when we were told we were being made redundant."

Bristol Blue Glass closed its doors in May due to rising costs

When Bristol Blue Glass shut, he said he viewed it as "an opportunity to carry it on".

"I felt a sense of duty to bring blue glass back to Bristol," he said.

"The response to Bristol Blue glass closing down was so massive we thought well this is a no-brainer. The outpouring of support was huge."

Barry said the new venture would be more focused online rather than being open to the public.

"There's still a lot of work to do, but the relief of turning that furnace on - anyone in the industry will tell you - they live and breathe it, it's a way of life.

"For me, it felt like I had an limb amputated not being able to touch the hot glass and work with," Barry added.

Bristol Glassworks Ltd said no date had been confirmed, but it expected to open within the next few weeks.