Coalport was planned as a canal–river interchange and a complete "new town" by ironmaster William Reynolds, who between 1788 and 1796 built warehouses, workshops, factories and workers accommodation in Coalport. He also directed the construction of the Shropshire Canal, linking the East Shropshire coalfield with the River Severn — the terminus being Coalport Wharf. Coalport became home to the well-known pottery founded by John Rose in 1795. Production eventually moved to Staffordshire in 1926. However, the pottery reopened as a Museum – one of ten operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.