Darnall's crucible workshop today. Courtesy English Heritage
The last surviving steel crucible workshop in the world is to be saved from dereliction as part of a £7 million regeneration project to help revitalise the steel industry in Sheffield.
Once in the vanguard of a technological revolution, Darnall Works in the Lower Don Valley, stands as a relic of the city’s steel making tradition. At its core is a unique red brick crucible workshop dating from the 1870s.
In a deal that will see the steel industry use the site again, more than 200 jobs will be created, 3.8 acres of land redeveloped, and 60,000 square feet of high quality commercial space made available.
“The Darnall Works is a superb example of heritage-led regeneration in an area that made a crucial contribution to Britain’s Industrial Revolution,” said Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage. “The iconic crucible workshop is the world’s only known survivor of this type of steelworks.”
An early nineteenth century crucible smelting workshop. Courtesy English Heritage
Darnall Works was one of the structures featured in the 2001 English Heritage publication One Great Workshop, which highlighted metal trade buildings with potential to contribute to the city’s economic renewal.
The project, which signals a new approach to heritage protection, will be used as a pilot study about how historic buildings can be conserved while appropriate developments are facilitated together with daily site management.
The study also forms part of the Government’s wide-ranging review of heritage protection and will inform the drafting of a forthcoming heritage white paper.
English Heritage will be working with Mayflower Sheffield Developments Ltd, a new company formed by Mayflower Technology Ltd and Darnall Works Ltd, to see the project through with help from the European Union’s Objective 1 Programme.
“We look forward to this exciting new phase in the partnership project for regenerating an area that for two hundred years has been at the heart of Sheffield’s industry, whilst at the same time preserving what is best of the past and giving it new life,” said Andrew Dunigan, Managing Director of Mayflower Sheffield Developments Ltd.
“The continuation of high-tech metalworking on this historic steelworks site is especially appropriate.”
The interior of the Darnall Works. Courtesy English Heritage
English Heritage has provided £300,000 for the project with a further £1.4m coming from the European Regional Development Fund.
Roof and brickwork repairs are due to begin in the next few months on the main crucible workshop. Its 19th century chimneys will also be rebuilt to their original height.
When complete, Mayflower Technology, a steel laser-cutting firm, plans to use it at first as storage space.
Archaeological investigations will also be carried out on the buried remains of earlier glass and steel making on site. Derelict land will be transformed to create parking and access roads, creating the opportunity for future development.
Crucible steel production was developed near the Darnall Works in the 18th century by Benjamin Huntsman, from Doncaster, a clockmaker in search of better steel for clock springs. It involved melting steel in deep crucible pots, producing higher quality metal than any previous method, perfect for making cutting edge tools.
The process led to the city’s rapid 19th century expansion, which saw it supply half of all Europe’s steel, most produced in small-scale workshops of up to a dozen crucible melting holes. The last crucible steel works in Sheffield closed in 1972.
“I am delighted to pledge English Heritage’s support for this ambitious plan, which will see historic buildings restored, returning them to an industrial use, while securing their future as evocative links to Sheffield’s past,” said Mr Cossons.
Crucible pot making workshop circa late 19th century. Courtesy English Heritage
Sheffield City Council, who were also involved in formulating the plans to regenerate the Darnall Works, has been striving to secure the future of about 19 other sites by facilitating regeneration schemes and offering advice on their management and restoration.
The Objective 1 Programme in South Yorkshire is a £1.8 billion investment programme that draws on over £700 million from the European Union’s Structural Funds that are provided to help Europe’s poorest areas regenerate their economies and create jobs. South Yorkshire is one of those poorest areas with fewer businesses and fewer and less well-paid jobs than other European regions.
“European investment through the Objective 1 Programme is making a vital contribution to the regeneration of the South Yorkshire economy,” said Sylvia Yates, Programme Director, Objective 1.
“This investment is not only helping to preserve an important part of our local heritage, but also providing a firm foundation for further economic growth and increased employment opportunities in Darnall.”
