If further proof were needed that the economic downturn and credit crunch are biting hard, today's news from Stoke-on-Trent about Waterford Wedgwood is surely it.
The world-famous pottery firm, which is based at Barlaston, near Stone, has collapsed into administration.
It's a huge blow to not only the pottery industry and North Staffordshire, but the entire UK economy.
There are some businesses that feel so British (even if most of their wares are produced overseas) that you kind of presume they'll always be there.
But even a firm as famous and at one time as successful as Wedgwood has been hit hard by recent events. Now, according to my local paper, The Sentinel, administrators Deloitte have been called in.
You can only hope that the company can be sold as a going concern. In the world of Staffordshire business news, today's is the grim headline many hoped they'd never see - not least the 1,000-odd people who could be looking for a new job in Stoke.
David Sculley, group chief officer at Waterford Wedgwood, has said: "I'm disappointed, but we remain optimistic that ongoing discussions will result in a buyer being found."
Let's hope his optimism pays off.
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