Clangers producer closes

Stockport-based animation company Factory, which produced CBeebies’ Bafta-winning Clangers reboot, is closing after 24 years.

The company appointed audit, tax and advisory firm Mazars as liquidators earlier this month, with eight staff positions made redundant.

In a statement, Factory said: “Unfortunately, over the last 12 months the number of projects being green-lit by broadcasters around the world has been severely cut as the global economy and audience behaviours have changed markedly. These challenging market conditions were a significant factor in the insolvency of the business."

Initially known as Factory Transmedia, the company specialised in stop-motion and 3D CGI. It was set up in 2000 and had a studio based in Altrincham Business Park.

As well as three series of The Clangers, which was revived in 2015, Factory has been behind ITV puppet satire Newzoids, Nickelodeon's Emmy-winning The Tiny Chef Show, CBBC’s Scream Street and Strange Hill High, CBeebies' Raa Raa the Noisy Lion and Channel 5/Nickelodeon pre-school shows Roary the Racing Car and Fifi and the Flower Tots.

Puppets created for Newzoids are to be sold off in an online auction of Factory’s assets.

Public figures caricatured in the series included Donald Trump, Adele, Nigel Farage, the Royal family, Ant and Dec, Boris Johnson and Theresa May.