Community takes ownership of Sheffield's Portland Works

Portland Works, located to the west of Bramall Lane, is one of Sheffield's last remaining examples of a purpose built light metal trades integrated works

Four years ago campaigners in Sheffield set about trying to save and restore an historic industrial landmark for use by specialist trades.

Portland Works, a rambling complex of Victorian workshops, was built in 1877 and was the first place in the world to manufacture stainless steel cutlery.

It exists today as a shared low-cost workspace, nurturing a diverse range of 23 tenants including metalworkers, furniture makers, engravers, artists and musicians.

In 2009, the building was under threat of being closed and converted into flats.

It was the starting point of a campaign which evolved into a dream to secure a future of the site through purchase, renovation and management by social enterprise.

In 2011 the planning application was withdrawn and the community was asked to put money towards the building by way of a share scheme to enable the purchase of the site.

'Legal difficulties'

Some 450 people contributed amounts ranging from £100 to £20,000 with a total of £300,000 being raised.

Now the sale process has been completed with the building's keys firmly in the hands of the community.

Derek Morton, chairman of the Portland Works Committee, said: "It's brilliant to know it's now officially ours.

Mr Hopprich has run his cabinetry business from Portland for 27 years

"It's taken a lot of work and there's been several times where we have thought we'll never raise the money we've needed and also we've had some legal difficulties to overcome.

"But we've got there and we are absolutely elated.

"This isn't a financial investment in the normal sense, no-one will make a killing out of this project, we just need people's cash for quite a long time which is quite a big ask these days.

"Thanks to those far-sighted and generous supporters we have it. They've seen it's a valuable project and they've been magnificent."

Paul Hopprich, who has run his cabinet-making business from the site for 27 years, said: "It's a relief that the future of the bricks and mortar side of things has been secured.

"If we'd have lost the building that would have been the end of my business because it would have cost far too much to move."

'Decent toilets'

He added: "Being here has two main benefits, one being the cheap accommodation and the fact that you have a wealth of trades around you so if I have some problems with one of my machines I can just get the guys from Portland Electrics to have a look rather than waiting for someone to come out.

"We're like one big family."

As well as keeping up with the tradition of manufacturing, the building provides space for artists

However, Mr Morton said despite four years of fighting to save the building, the hard work was only just beginning.

"The big priority is to make the building stable," he said.

"It's very dilapidated and is only just standing so we need to begin restoration quickly.

"For a start, we need to get some decent toilets, that's the big thing that the tenants have been grumbling about.

"We've got a programme of works which will take place over the next five to ten years so by no means is the hard work over."