The bus operator now known as First Potteries has been a feature of Stoke-on-Trent since June 28, 1898, when the Potteries Electric Traction Company Limited was formed.
The company ran trams through the city before buses became the dominant mode of public transport. By 1933 the trams had vanished and so the company was renamed the Potteries Motor Traction Company. The initials PMT soon became a household name in the North Staffordshire area – a term often still used today by older folks across North Staffordshire.
The company has played a key part in the lives of thousands of people for generations. Buses have provided many locals with transport to get to school, work, medical appointments, to enjoy local leisure facilities and other general days out with friends and family.
What some people might not realise is that, as a local business,First Potteries supports many local organisations such as local food banks, the Dougie Mac hospice, the Donna Louise Children's Hospice, schools and hospitals through fund-raising activities, training and financial support.
To celebrate the success of running buses in the city for all these years, in 2016 two buses were repainted in heritage liveries and named after local heroes Timothy Trow and Ernest Egerton VC. These buses can be seen most days in service around the Potteries – one in the traditional red and cream and the other in the 1986 privatisation livery of silver for route 320 to Crewe.
Speaking about the City of Culture bid, Nigel Eggleton, Managing Director of First Potteries, said: “It would be a fantastic achievement for Stoke-on-Trent to be given the title City of Culture 2021, it would bring many benefits to the city and surrounding conurbations with much needed investment to generate jobs and growth for the local economy.
"Already, there are many attractions that bring tourists to the area, but just as Hull has demonstrated, there would be a huge amount of opportunity to get Stoke-on-Trent back on the map as being a 'city of choice' for tourism and business.
"First Potteries and its former predecessor PMT have run buses in the area for more than 100 years, providing a comprehensive network of bus service linking communities and attractions. Being part of a multi-national PLC has many benefits, especially when looking at the big picture in providing a sustainable, fit for purpose network of bus services to meet the demand of customers in the area.
"As a business, we support the City of Culture bid wholeheartedly and look forward to contributing and developing a strong submission together with our partners. We look forward to developing new partnerships, transport links and bringing much needed growth and investment to the city through the process."
First Potteries driver David Johnson has been on the buses for 12 years and thinks Stoke-on-Trent is definitely heading in the right direction.
The 50-year-old, from Cobridge, said: “Being named City of Culture 2021 would be absolutely brilliant for the city and, if we win, the buses should be busier, which is our bread and butter really. Money is being spent on making this city better and to make it more attractive so that people can visit here instead of perhaps Manchester or Birmingham. Attractions such as Waterworld and The Regent Theatre and Potteries Museum and Art Gallery already attract people from all over the UK."
Andy Williams is another First Potteries driver who has been behind the wheel of buses for 21 years. The 48-year-old, from Bucknall, said: “Being named UK City of Culture in 2021 would really put our city on the map. We have a great heritage. During the 1990s the buses I drove were packed every day taking passengers to the pot banks.
"We have such a wealth of pottery history here and people are fascinated by it and how skills were passed down through the generations.
"We have two big universities locally – Staffordshire University and Keele University – both of which attract tens of thousands of students from all over the UK and overseas and we also, of course, have two professional football teams in the city.
“I'm glad to see so much going on right now. Stoke-on-Trent is looking up. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and cinemas on our doorstep. It's all positive. What we're doing now is something for future generations, including my grandchildren. After all, from small acorns grow big trees."
Helen Eardley, travel shop supervisor for First Potteries, thinks it'll mean positive things whether or not Stoke-on-Trent is successful in its City of Culture bid.
She said: “It's going to be really exciting either way, as it will still create interest in our city. We're a really varied city that caters for everyone and a lot of companies are currently investing in the area, as they obviously believe in what we have to offer.
"There's plenty to do in all parts of the city and the entertainment sector has grown massively in recent years."
The 34-year-old, from Waterhayes, added: “I get to shout about the city every day in my job when visitors come to us for information. I recommend places to go and things to see, it's a really nice feeling to share my city with them. To be able to build on what we have to offer visitors will be tremendous."
Service performance controller Tim Shufflebotham, aged 33, from Bentilee, says the City of Culture bid can only benefit the Potteries. He explained: “It will bring revenue into the city, which will help local businesses.
"We've got some great attractions here like Gladstone Pottery Museum, Emma Bridgewater and Ford Green Hall, as well as some wonderful canal path walks. I particularly enjoy the Barlaston area.
"The regeneration currently going on is a glimpse of the future. Stoke-on-Trent has great transport links and we as a company offer good services all across the city, which is great for visitors. Winning the UK City of Culture title would give Stoke-on-Trent recognition and show how diverse we are as a city."
Staff manager Zena Astley, from Cellarhead, says there is a lot on offer in Stoke-on-Trent. The 49-year-old explains: “There's plenty to do in the area and it's all spread out, from tremendous walks to Trentham Gardens and The Regent Theatre.
"We also have so many great places to eat. Intu Potteries has done a superb job at the Hive and Emma Bridgewater is coming along leaps and bounds. For First Potteries, winning will mean more bums on seats. We've done such a lot of work on the presentation of the vehicles and on our routes and would love to help showcase our city to visitors."
General Manager at First Potteries, Dan Flanagan, said the company is proud to be supporting #sot2021.
He said: “People are too quick to say 'why Stoke?' when you mention the City of Culture bid, but Hull won and I think not everyone living here can see what we have to offer.
"We tend to take it for granted – particularly our pottery heritage – as that's just the norm to us. The Great Pottery Throw Down has been a great way to highlight this to the rest of the country."
The 34-year-old, from Stafford, added: “Hanley's Cultural Quarter has been a great success and the Hive is a really nice environment. Plans for a new shopping centre across the road from our Hanley bus station are massively attractive.
"Winning this will also draw attention to many aspects of the city and even motivate locals to get around and visit places that they haven't been before. Personally, it can only increase my pride in the city that I grew up in."