Good progress made in saving historic 'at risk' Sheffield cutlery factory

Historic England has released a list of historic places across Yorkshire which are under threat – with the Globe Works in Penistone Road among those in danger.

But the organisation say ‘good progress’ has been made in saving the building in recent years.

Historic England says a number of sites are at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development on its Heritage at Risk Register 2020.

The register provides an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places, and those most at risk of being lost.

Over the last year 16 historic buildings and sites in Yorkshire have been saved thanks to the determination of local communities, charities, owners, local councils and Historic England, who together want to see historic places restored and brought back to life.

Situated in Kelham Island, Globe Works is the city’s earliest surviving cutlery and tool factory.

It was built in 1825 for tool manufacturers Ibbotson & Roebank and remained in operation until the mid-1970s. During this time Globe Works has faced destruction at least twice. In 1843, it was badly damaged by a bomb planted by disgruntled members of the saw grinders union and in 1970 Sheffield’s planning committee tried to get it demolished to make way for a motorway.

The main building has been regenerated and is now a business centre. It was put on the Heritage at Risk Register as a number of its workshops were in a derelict condition.

Since then, one of the workshops has been repaired and converted to a restaurant on the ground floor, with commercial offices on the upper floors. There are also plans to develop another of the workshops into more office space although this has been delayed by Covid-19.

Trevor Mitchell, Regional Director for Historic England in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “It is the varied tapestry of our historic places in Yorkshire that helps us define who we are. In testing times such as these, heritage can give us a sense of continuity and bring us comfort. We also know that investing in Yorkshire’s historic places can help boost our economic recovery."