George Barnsley's, Sheffield South Yorkshire, October 2020

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HughieD

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1. The History
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Sadly, the factory became outdated and the inefficient production methods meant that the company could no longer keep pace with a competitive import market.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.

2. The Explore
One of the Sheffield Big Four (along with Megatron, Cannon Brewery and the old courts), I’ve been round this legendary place twice before. There’s so much to see you need at least two visits. Rumour had it that it was still a thing and doable so off me and my non-forum member mate went. Entry to GBs has always been interesting. Doable if you are in the know and prepared to go round the houses a bit. And go round the houses we did to get in. Once in we spent the best part of two hours looking around. So, it’s not quite the place it was three years but the big five draw cards are still here. The recent fire near to our entry point might make getting in here more difficult so glad when we went when we did.

So hello again one last time to one of the all-time great
abandoned factory spaces in the steel city.

3. The Pictures

And we’re in!

George B's 01 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 03 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Grinding wheel:

img9241 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Love this pulleys and wheels room:

img9249 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9251 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9256 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9258 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9260 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9263 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9265 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9266 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9268 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Don’t get too close to the edge:

img9269 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Looks like some kind of smithy:

img9272 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The long room:

img9275 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This place really is legendary:

img9277 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9278 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9280 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9281 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9282 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9283 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9284 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9286 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 10 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Back downstairs again:

img9289 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9291 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9293 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9294bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9297 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9299bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9300 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9302 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9300 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9302 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9303 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9306 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9307 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9308 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
COND.

And back downstairs again:

img9309 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9310 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9311 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The cupboard room!

img9316 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9323 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9325 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9326 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 11 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 13 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 15 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 16 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 23 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 25 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Such a cracking place, been here many times and it's sad to see it so trashed tbh.
Great shots sir
 
COND.

And back downstairs again:

img9309 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9310 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9311 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The cupboard room!

img9316 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9323 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9325 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img9326 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 11 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 13 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 15 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 16 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 23 by HughieDW, on Flickr

George B's 25 by HughieDW, on Flickr
It doesn't look like its changed that much since I went in 2015. Loved the place and great photos and good to see its still doable !
 
Good job, some great pictures, had my eye on this place, waiting on new camera arriving before exploring. Looks a bit dodgy, so thanks for your efforts.
 

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