POOLE's tourism chiefs fear the potential loss of Poole Pottery could leave them facing a multi-millon pound void.

Poole Tourism estimate the loss of arguably their most iconic attraction could cost them up to £10m a year.

The closure of the world-famous factory on Tuesday followed the shutdown of the pottery shop on Poole Quay the previous week.

The pottery has long been a name synonymous with the town and has been a huge draw for tourists and day-trippers for decades.

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of the Poole Tourism Partnership, said: "We will look with some concern at the short-term impact the closure will have.

"The shop and pottery have for a long time been a major pull for tourists in that part of the town. It is a core attraction for Poole.

"The pottery and shop contributed hugely to the market, and it is important for other operators there is some vibrant attractions, so to lose something like this is a blow."

At its peak at the turn of the millennium, the pottery shop and factory tour on the Quay was attracting a million visitors a year.

It made the top 10 of the English Tourism Council's most visited attractions in 2001 and has for many years been Poole's number one tourist destination.

Such a huge loss in income is likely to hit the town hard but Mr Grant-Braham remains optimistic a solution can be found to save the pottery.

He said: "I hope the news the pottery is regrouping is realised.

"We're not giving up and I hope the brand can be maintained. It's an iconic name and the industry would hate to lose it."

Mr Grant-Braham also offered "sorrow" and "sympathies" for the factory staff who lost their jobs on Tuesday December 19.

Poole council confirmed yesterday they met with Poole Pottery managing director Jeffrey Zemmel and chairman Roy Simmons at their request on Tuesday.

Peter Wheelhouse, economic development manager at the council, said: "The purpose of the meeting was to brief the council on the current situation.

"Mr Zemmel and Mr Simmons indicated that they hoped to re-launch the business in the New Year."

Mr Zemmel was again unavailable for comment when the Daily Echo visited his Lilliput home on Friday.