H. L. Brown confirms plans to donate iconic time signal to 'suitable party' in Sheffield
The managing director is looking to give it to a “suitable party” in the city
The managing director of a historic jewellers has confirmed plans to donate an iconic time signal that rung through the streets of Sheffield for more than 150 years back to the city.
Over the past few weeks, local historians have called on the return of the ‘1 o’clock Time Signal’ which had been located on the H. L. Brown jewellers on Barker’s Pool.
The jewellery shop changed hands in August, with new managers at Loupe confirming that they “carefully removed” the daily siren - which dates back to 1874 - and gifted it back to H. L Brown, which still runs stores in Doncaster, Lincoln and York.
However, now James Frampton, the managing director of H. L. Brown, has said the business will be “donated to a suitable party in Sheffield”.
“H. L. Brown does not wish to transfer it to another location,” he added.
“Currently we have interest from Sheffield Museums and the Town Hall.”
The Star had previously called on the return of the signal.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee, echoed this point, adding: “For the past 150 years, the 1 o’clock siren has been part of the soundtrack of Sheffield.
“Like it or loathe it, it’s been the backdrop to countless Sheffield stories and generations of people going about their lives. I remember it clearly from coming into town with my gran back in the 1980s.
“It’s really disappointing that the new owners have decided not to continue what is a unique Sheffield tradition. I hope they’ll reconsider. As the custodians of the building that has been home to the siren for more than a century and a half, I’d appeal to them to help keep that tradition alive.
“If they won’t, then we need to come together as a city and find another way to keep this little piece of Sheffield’s history going for future generations.”