Portland Works is under threat.
Portland Works is "one of the City's
jewels"
Paul Bedwell, chairman of Sheffield Civic Trust
Artists impression of flats,
2009 The Works is one of the most important metal
trades buildings in the city - where stainless steel was first made
into 'Rusnorstain' cutlery in 1914. (see
History section) Although it is Grade II* listed, it is
decaying, leaking, damp and neglected, and the owners have wanted
to sell it for the last three years, attempting to gain planning
permission between 2009-11.
While Portland Works remains in commercial ownership it's future is in the balance. It will not get the repairs it needs, let alone a restoration job. A year ago the threat was flats - the owner's planning application for 60+ small flats which has now been withdrawn following our campaign.
The Works has much potential yet is neglected and underused. Our tenants represent a wide range of skills and experiences, and will form the core of a centre of excellence for Sheffield creativity.
Our group has spent over a year preparing a business plan in the most thorough and professional way possible, to establish a viable and sustainable future for the Works. We have a used a window of opportunity right now, as the recession has frozen the property market and buyers are scarce. We want to turn this threat into Our Vision, a bold project that uses community finance - your money as a long term loan - to save, restore and manage the building.
And finally, the owners agreed in 2011 to sell the building to our community-led Society.
.
The building and its
future will only be secure when our group has bought it. We need
you to support, donate to or buy shares in the project now!
