Chance to visit the stainless-steel cutlery industry’s birthplace … and it’s very different now

There will be a visit to the birthplace of stainless-steel cutlery manufacturing in Sheffield at the end of June.

The event on Tuesday, June 30 at 2.30pm is to the Portland Works in Sheffield which was built in 1879 and is now one of the last remaining working examples of a purpose-built metal trades factory.

Following 50 years of neglect, the building was purchased in 2013 by a social enterprise comprising more than 500 community shareholders who, having saved it from residential conversion, are now undertaking an extensive renovation.

The grade 2* listed building has been reborn as a centre for small manufacturing, independent artists and craftspeople with many small businesses now based within the 2,600 square metre floor space.

These include knife makers, an engraver and several engineers; cabinetmakers and joiners; jewellers and silver platers; artists; rug and guitar makers; photographers, a Yorkshire-based gin distillery and even a high-tech computer controlled (CNC) manufacturing site.

There is usually a tour around the yard and into a couple of workshops, depending what is open on the day. A volunteer historian will hopefully be available to answer any questions. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and we can only take up to 20 people.

It is a busy working site and the tour is mostly outdoors around the yards so sensible footwear is best.  There are lots of stone and metal steps (no lifts) and the opportunity to go up onto the flat roof. The site is not massively accessible so if anyone requires help and cannot manage the steps please do contact Sylvia Johnson (below) so we can take advice.

For more information please go to  https://www.portlandworks.co.uk/visiting-portland-works/

To request a place please email Sylvia Johnson on   

The cost is £5 for members and £7 for non-members.

If a place is available, please pay by bank transfer to Huddersfield Civic Society, Sort Code: 20-43-04, Account no. 50525022. Please use your surname and ‘Portland’ as a reference.