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| Address: |
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Business Phone:
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Littlemesters |
| Fax: |
Littlemesters |
E-mail:
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nigel@littlemesters.com |
Products and Services:
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SAVE THE PORTLAND WORKS IN SHEFFIELD
What's special about Portland Works?
Portland Works is one of a very few remaining "Little Mesters" workshops in the City of Sheffield. It's a highly rated architectural gem - Grade 2* listed. Amazingly, in the 21st century, it's still very much in it's original state. There is a traditional forge making Sheffield tools, a crafstman knifemaker, artists and much more, including a sound studio and rehearsal space for rock bands. The Works have been in continuous use since the 1870's, and it was here that stainless steel cutlery was first made in the world, in 1913 (more on this in 'stainless steel and the Works')
Close to the Sheffield United football ground - "The Blades" were well named - and backing on to the music studios at Stag Works - this was once a teeming area of tiny workshops. Here were Sheffield's "Little Mesters" - local dialect for 'masters' - independent self-employed cutlery and tool manufacturers who formed the heart of the industry. The essential qualities of independence, skill and pride in their work contributed to Sheffield's proud history.
The Works are threatened with closure and conversion into 'studio apartments'. So far we have had great support from the local councillors, Sharrow Community Forum and many individuals, including candidates for the Sheffield Central parliamentary constituency. Unfortunately we can only win the planning battle on grounds of planning law, which does little to protect the very special wholeness of Portland Works.
These unique 'Little Mesters' workshops and the craftsmen and artists who work there will be gone. Sheffield will gain 66 bedsits and lose a priceless piece of heritage.
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