A Sheffield classic, many reports but here’s my take!
The explore:
Been eyeing this place up for a couple years now, and having narrowly missed an opportunity for access last year, I was determined to get in! When an opportunity did arise over the weekend, my expectations were definitely exceeded. You could spend hours here and not get sick of it, there seems to be endless rooms all offering something slightly different. Highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t already been.
History (Stolen from @HughieD, who also helped me on access to here so big shout out to him!):
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoe makers The company was founded in 1836 and was initially based on Wheeldon Street. Records show they moved to Cornhill in 1847 and then on to Cornish Place, on the River Don, just three years later. By this time they had expanded their product range to include steel files and butchers knives. George Barnsley was Master Cutler in 1883. The company grew throughout the 19th century and the Barnsley family were well thought of in the Steel city. Their 1944 listing identified them as manufactures of files and blades, shoe knives and leather workers tools. Four years later they became a Ltd company. George Barnsley died at his home at No. 30 Collegiate Crescent on 30th March 1958 where he lived with wife Mabel and mother-in-law Elizabeth. Sadly the factory became outdated and the inefficient production meant that the company could not keep pace with a competitive import market. With the costs of production growing George Barnsley's closed its doors in 2003. The site has sat derelict and unused ever since.
Photos:
Exterior-
Arches -
Machinery -
More shelves than you’ll ever need -
Residential(?) rooms -
Other cool stuff -
The explore:
Been eyeing this place up for a couple years now, and having narrowly missed an opportunity for access last year, I was determined to get in! When an opportunity did arise over the weekend, my expectations were definitely exceeded. You could spend hours here and not get sick of it, there seems to be endless rooms all offering something slightly different. Highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t already been.
History (Stolen from @HughieD, who also helped me on access to here so big shout out to him!):
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoe makers The company was founded in 1836 and was initially based on Wheeldon Street. Records show they moved to Cornhill in 1847 and then on to Cornish Place, on the River Don, just three years later. By this time they had expanded their product range to include steel files and butchers knives. George Barnsley was Master Cutler in 1883. The company grew throughout the 19th century and the Barnsley family were well thought of in the Steel city. Their 1944 listing identified them as manufactures of files and blades, shoe knives and leather workers tools. Four years later they became a Ltd company. George Barnsley died at his home at No. 30 Collegiate Crescent on 30th March 1958 where he lived with wife Mabel and mother-in-law Elizabeth. Sadly the factory became outdated and the inefficient production meant that the company could not keep pace with a competitive import market. With the costs of production growing George Barnsley's closed its doors in 2003. The site has sat derelict and unused ever since.
Photos:
Exterior-
Arches -
Machinery -
More shelves than you’ll ever need -
Other cool stuff -
