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Community campaign gearing up
Pictured at the Portland Works , Randall Street Sheffield, A campaign by the people who work there are trying to save the Building Derek Morton who is Chairing the campain
A COMMUNITY group is trying to persuade Sheffield residents to buy a part of the city’s heritage.
Campaigners hope to raise at least £450,000 by selling community shares in the project to revitalise Portland Works, the birthplace of stainless steel cutlery.
Tenants saved the Grade II*-Listed factory from being knocked down and turned into flats earlier this year after a long campaign.
An online petition collected more than 1,400 signatures.
Now money raised from the share issue will be used to buy the rundown building and campaigners then plan to renovate it with rental income.
The building on Randall Street, off Bramall Lane, is home to more than 20 businesses, including metalworkers, engravers, woodworkers, artists and musicians. Organisers want to create new workshop space until the building is full.
They also plan to use the site for training and education.
Around £100,000 has already been pledged by supporters.
“The aim is to repay all share capital, so when people buy a share, they are effectively making a long-term loan to the Portland Works campaign,” said campaign leader Derek Morton.
“It’s a really exciting and ethical way for people to invest their money in the local community.”
The team had spent two years preparing a fully-costed business plan for the site.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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