A historic British manufacturer has closed its doors for the final time today, May 31, marking the end of nearly four decades of production.
Despite thousands of people backing a campaign to save the business, the company has now ceased trading permanently.
Bristol Blue Glass has shut down today after 38 years in business, ending nearly four decades of handmade glassware production.
The company closed its Keynsham factory for the final time, bringing an end to a business long associated with Bristol's glassmaking heritage.
The closure comes despite a strong show of public support.
More than 7,000 people signed a petition calling for the business to remain open and keep its factory operating, but the campaign was ultimately unable to prevent the firm's closure.
The company's owners said a combination of factors led to the decision.
Managing directors have been dealing with ill health, while rising fuel and rent costs have placed increasing pressure on the business.
Bristol Blue Glass is closing its business and giving away its stock for free | GETTY / GOOGLE The firm was also facing substantial refurbishment costs.
Alongside these challenges, the owners criticised what they described as the Government's "appalling treatment of small businesses" and a "high tax burden", which they said had made operating conditions increasingly difficult.
The combined pressures ultimately proved too much for the heritage glassmaker, despite its loyal customer base and longstanding place in the region's history.
Bristol's glassmaking tradition stretches back to the 18th century, when the city became a major centre for bottle production and international trade.
It earned a reputation for producing some of the country's finest glass craftsmen, a legacy Bristol Blue Glass carried forward until closing its doors today.
The company's owners said a combination of factors led to the decision
| GETTYBristol Blue Glass launched 38 years ago with the specific aim of reviving this artisan craft, which had vanished from the city for more than half a century.
The company's distinctive sapphire-coloured glassware became its hallmark, achieved by incorporating cobalt oxide into the molten glass mixture to produce the striking blue tone that became synonymous with Bristol's glassmaking heritage.
Loyal customers have expressed their sorrow at the news, with one remarking: "It's heartbreaking for you all, Bristol is losing an important part of its heritage."
Britain's high streets have struggled in recent years | PAAnother patron praised the company's legacy, stating: "Thank you all for your invaluable contribution to Bristol DNA."
In its farewell statement, Bristol Blue Glass thanked its supporters: "Your encouragement and loyalty has meant the world. We are grateful for the memories and the community we've built."
The closure has sparked concerns that Bristol's glassblowing tradition faces extinction once more, with fears it could vanish entirely as it did a century ago.