Victorian works saved from development by fundraisers

Portland Works is home to about 20 small businesses, artists and musicians, with many using the base off Bramall Lane to practice traditional skills such as metalworking and cutlery-making.

The Portland Works Campaign was launched in order to save the Victorian building, the first place in the world where stainless steel cutlery was manufactured.

In April 2011, the campaign blocked a planning application to convert it into apartments.

However, the works was still under threat – until now – as the current owners still wished to sell.

Now, the landlord has agreed a sale price of £420,000. The deal will see an upfront payment of £260,000 by the end of June –which will give the campaign full ownership – and another £160,000 to be paid in instalments over the next four years.

Chairman of the campaign committee Derek Morton said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the deal. This is a major step forward and will now ensure the future of Portland Works.”

The 63-year-old added: “At the moment we have about 20 businesses and there’s potential to bring that up to about 30.

“Now, we’d love to keep the money coming in. We’ve started the ball rolling, but now the priority is weatherproofing, fire escapes, wiring and things like that.”

Cutlery-maker Stuart Mitchell, 42, says he can remember the first day he was taken to the works by his father, in 1980.

He was then taken on as an apprentice in his father’s cutlery business when he was 15, and has worked at Portland Works ever since.

Mr Mitchell said: “My customers like the fact that I’m still based here, they like the history.”

Owner of Portland Works John Holland said yesterday: “It’s a fair deal for both parties.

“I’m very happy that the Works is able to continue to offer workspace for the existing tenants and I’m positive the building will have a bright future under community ownership.”

For details of how to get involved visit www.portlandworks.co.uk