1. The History
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoemakers. 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Sadly, the factory became outdated and the inefficient production methods meant that the company could no longer keep pace with a competitive import market.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. The business is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Mowbray Manufacturing Co Ltd and operates from premises on Mowbray Street, Sheffield, along with its sister company Woodware Repetitions, who make the wooden handles for these and many other tools.
The site went on the market and was sold for redevelopment. After some initial clearing work of the vegetation the site has since been left while development work has progressed around it.
Had another search for archive pictures of the place when it was still trading but found nothing. However, did find this brochure frontage:
And this old advertisement:
2. The Explore
Having been round here three times already, thought that the visit last October would be my last. On that visit I was genuinely surprised how much was still left, given the initial work that began but then fizzled out. Entry has always been ‘interesting’ at GB's and routes in have come and gone. I pass the place regularly so with entry possible and lock-down easing, I tipped off @Bikin Glynn it was doable as he hadn’t seen it and off we went.
One thing that amazes me about this place is how you repeatedly find bits of the sprawling complex you never saw last time you went round and notice things you didn’t clock in the bits you did explore. Hence, rather than this being a tired “seen all this before” visit, I genuinely enjoyed it, and had chance to take another view of this fantastic place in the company of Bikin' Glynn.
3. The Pictures
And we’re in!
Never tire of this heavy machinery/pullies bit:
On to the rest of the single floor factory buildings:
Original grinding wheel still in situ:
And back out again:
It’s now minus the odd connecting bridge or two:
Can’t remember photographing this bit before:
Up we go:
To the top of the shop:
And on to the classic wooden storage area:
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoemakers. 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 methods meant that the company could no longer 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. The business is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Mowbray Manufacturing Co Ltd and operates from premises on Mowbray Street, Sheffield, along with its sister company Woodware Repetitions, who make the wooden handles for these and many other tools.
The site went on the market and was sold for redevelopment. After some initial clearing work of the vegetation the site has since been left while development work has progressed around it.
Had another search for archive pictures of the place when it was still trading but found nothing. However, did find this brochure frontage:
And this old advertisement:
2. The Explore
Having been round here three times already, thought that the visit last October would be my last. On that visit I was genuinely surprised how much was still left, given the initial work that began but then fizzled out. Entry has always been ‘interesting’ at GB's and routes in have come and gone. I pass the place regularly so with entry possible and lock-down easing, I tipped off @Bikin Glynn it was doable as he hadn’t seen it and off we went.
One thing that amazes me about this place is how you repeatedly find bits of the sprawling complex you never saw last time you went round and notice things you didn’t clock in the bits you did explore. Hence, rather than this being a tired “seen all this before” visit, I genuinely enjoyed it, and had chance to take another view of this fantastic place in the company of Bikin' Glynn.
3. The Pictures
And we’re in!
Never tire of this heavy machinery/pullies bit:
On to the rest of the single floor factory buildings:
Original grinding wheel still in situ:
And back out again:
It’s now minus the odd connecting bridge or two:
Can’t remember photographing this bit before:
Up we go:
To the top of the shop:
And on to the classic wooden storage area:
