Now the building has been converted into restaurants and bars and the history of the biggest strike in Britain since 1926 and the importance the building played lives on only as memories now.
The building was commissioned by Arthur Scargill in the early 1980s in an effort to move the NUM from London and the building opened in 1988. Following the decline of the mining industry the NUM again relocated its headquarters to Barnsley. The NUM occupied the building for less than four years.
It then stood derelict for more than two decades and was threatened with demolition in 2006 and following a £5 million refit the building became home to three restaurants on the ground floor and offices on the first and second floors in March 2016.
Take a look back at some of the key events which happened in and outside of St James’ House, including the continued protests which carried on through the decades and the conversion into eateries and office space.
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It then stood derelict for more than two decades and was threatened with demolition in 2006 and following a £5 million refit the building became home to three restaurants on the ground floor and offices on the first and second floors in March 2016.
5. Strike is official
NUM President Arthur Scargill in Sheffield, where he announced that miners' leaders unanimously endorsed strike action as official throughout British coalfields, during the year long miners strike Photo: PA
6. Matthew Stephens Quest Property inside the NUM Building in Sheffield
Matthew Stephens Quest Property inside the NUM Building in Sheffield after it sat empty for decades Photo: none
7. Speaking to the masses
Miners leaders addressed strike workers from one of the windows of St James' House on April 12, 1984 Photo: ©Sheffield Newspapers Ltd
8. Always marching
Although the NUM has been shut for decades this area of Sheffield is still very important in making voices heard as members of the HMS Sheffield Association showed when they marched from Barkers Pool to the Cathedral Photo: Glenn Ashley