Whilst Sheffield's huge steel making plants were just on the outskirts of the city, the cutlery and scissor makers had their workshops slap bang in the city centre. Many of these have been demolished over the years, but on Sunday, we noticed just how many still remain in either a derelict state or having been given a new purpose. I love what they are doing at the
Butcher Works. They have converted this amazing building into a number of wonderful spaces.
Like the Portland Works that we visited last week, the area is set out pretty much the same with a huge chimney in the centre of the yard. The buildings around the courtyard have been converted into loft style apartments.
They have great character to them. I'd love a look around one of them.
I also discovered that they house the
Academy of Makers here.
I don't know much about what they do, so I am going to earmark a Saturday morning to have a look around. I am reliably informed that the Cafe is worth a visit too.
It all looks intriguing and a great use of a lovely old building.
We found these right next door too - again these buildings have been converted into loft style apartments. They are in a great spot smack in the centre of the city, near the railway station and all the amenities but just away from all the bustle.
And for anybody who finds themselves in the area, I can recommend food from this new Mexican Cafe, The
Street Food Chef. They have been serving food in Sheffield for a while and have just moved into this old cafe. We have been tasting their food at local fairs and its excellent. Its not fancy, but its not expensive and it is really really tasty.
And so I have discovered an area of Sheffield that has old industrial architecture, several wonderful places to eat, and a craft centre of sorts. Sounds like my kind of place I would say!
13 comments:
I love it when a new use is found for old buildings - so much better than just demolishing them.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Think my hubby would love this place as well. Especially that chimney he is an industrial boilermaker and he always says wherever you see a chimney there'll be some work for us. Not this one though haha
JUST CAUGHT UP with your liverpool pics... I am now resolved to go to the city museum ,,, it looks grand
It's always interesting finding out new things about old buildings in your local area. A craft fair and decent cafe make it all the more interesting!
Lisa x
Every time I read one of your posts I am taken aback by just how interesting Sheffield is.
And all the foodie places too..!
What a great place to live.
I do like a sympathetically restored building, these are wonderful. I love the glassed in staircases.
My parents are visiting Sheffield in a couple of weeks. I'm going to tell them to look out for these interesting buildings. It's exactly the sort of thing that they love. Jx
I think it is fantastic when the old buildings are not just retained but treasured. Well done Sheffield!
Carol xx
So glad they didn't tear them all down, what a great place.
That's interesting, because my grandfather came from Sheffield and we never knew much about his back ground. We had two conflicting stories, one that he was a butcher and the other that he worked in steel cutlery, so maybe both these stories were true and he worked at Butcherworks.
How it has all changed since we first started selling cutlery in the 1980s.
Looks interesting, I do like the mix of old and new - you find the most unusual places:)
We must get down to Sheffield - so near yet we've never had a proper look. I hear the art galleries & museums are very good too.
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