Figurine factory to close

Clarecraft has been a family- run business since 1993 when the Bakers took it over from the two people who started it in 1980.
Now, its premises on Woolpit Business Park is set to close in October, marking the end of the last large-scale manufacturer still producing in the country.
Co-owner Sally Couch said: "It is obviously very sad. When you are talking about so many people's livelihoods, it gets very emotional."

She said it was still early days and problems with licences on some of its products, like the Discworld figurines based on Terry Pratchett's fantasy novels, made closure a complicated business.
She would not comment on why the factory, also owned by Trish Baker, was closing.
However, the news comes almost two years after bosses vowed to keep producing models in Woolpit, despite the huge cost benefits of shifting production abroad.
As well as producing the Discworld figurines, the 23 full-time staff and six self-employed designers also produce other models like the Faerie Realm range of products.
Since news of the closure and a 20 per cent reduction on all products, sales had increased dramatically, said Mrs Couch.
"It is a shame we did not have this much interest before the closure as we are now run off our feet meeting the demand," she added.
Discworld figurines have attained a cult following over the years and Clarecraft has run occasional Terry Pratchett days near Woolpit, which thousands of people from all over the country attended.
Figures made at the factory have sold for thousands of pounds. In March this year, a tiny model of a dwarf was sold for £1,600 at auction.
Although Mrs Crouch would not be drawn on when the company will shut its doors for the final time, sites selling the firm's figurines give the date as sometime in October.

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