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Not so much an explore as a documentation of a building before and after demolition. Been trying to get round Laycocks for some time. However this four-sided building with inner courtyard would not reveal its secrets due to a tightly locked gate. Then one day, all of a sudden, contractors appeared, threw heras fences round the place and started to demo three of the four sides – the frontage of the building is now left as it could be listed. Even when demo started the was little opportunity to sneak in given the exposed nature of the site bang in the city centre next to busy roads and the railway station. The site had earlier been acquired by a developer who built build…yes, you’ve guessed it, student flats! One-hundred and forty two self-contained studio flats to be precise, in a five storeys tall new build. The main frontage of the former silversmiths and buffing workshops, including the entrance arch will be incorporated it into the complex. Further research found that the frontage was not listed but identified as “a significant building which contributes to the character of the area”. The building has been abandoned for years and in the past suffered, fire damage and general neglect. Apparently it had also, in the past, been a centre for the local drugs and alcohol culture. These pictures from 2010 would tend to back that theory up:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/richboxfrenzy/sets/72157624161886967/
Just a bit of history I could find on the place. Laycock & Sons were silversmiths, manufacturers of the “bias buffs”™ and suppliers to the metal finishing trade. They produced a range of items including cutlery, flasks, polishing mops and buffing wheels. Until the place was cleared there was evidence of a number of the their old workbenches. Originally Laycocks occupied half the premises. However, following expansion in later years, they acquired and occupied the entire site.
Apologies for the quality of the pictures as they were all taken on my phone.
Laycocks in Sheffield cityscape:
img6134 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Front elevation:
Laycocks9 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Another front view:
Laycocks5 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Close-up of the arch:
Laycocks7 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Side view of the complex:
Laycocks3 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And round the back:
Laycocks1 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not much left inside:
Laycocks2 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Laycocks4 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The demo begins:
Laycocks10 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Laycocks6 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Laycocks8 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Only the front bit left now:
Laycocks13 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Laycocks11 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Laycocks12 by HughieDW, on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/richboxfrenzy/sets/72157624161886967/
Just a bit of history I could find on the place. Laycock & Sons were silversmiths, manufacturers of the “bias buffs”™ and suppliers to the metal finishing trade. They produced a range of items including cutlery, flasks, polishing mops and buffing wheels. Until the place was cleared there was evidence of a number of the their old workbenches. Originally Laycocks occupied half the premises. However, following expansion in later years, they acquired and occupied the entire site.
Apologies for the quality of the pictures as they were all taken on my phone.
Laycocks in Sheffield cityscape:
img6134 by HughieDW, on FlickrFront elevation:
Laycocks9 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnother front view:
Laycocks5 by HughieDW, on FlickrClose-up of the arch:
Laycocks7 by HughieDW, on FlickrSide view of the complex:
Laycocks3 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd round the back:
Laycocks1 by HughieDW, on FlickrNot much left inside:
Laycocks2 by HughieDW, on FlickrLaycocks4 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe demo begins:
Laycocks10 by HughieDW, on FlickrLaycocks6 by HughieDW, on FlickrLaycocks8 by HughieDW, on FlickrOnly the front bit left now:
Laycocks13 by HughieDW, on FlickrLaycocks11 by HughieDW, on FlickrLaycocks12 by HughieDW, on Flickr
