Paul Bloomfield and Richard Caborn Visit Portland Works

"In order to save Portland Works we're going to need to make people aware of how important the place is. Getting media attention will be key to this so it was great to see the local TV news come down to cover the story."

Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn and Paul Blomfield, Labour’s new Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, will be visiting Portland Works on Friday 27th February at 9:30am to look around the building and meet with tenants who are opposed to the plans to turn it into flats.

Portland Works, a Grade II Listed Building on Randall Street, is a former cutlery works and is under threat of being converted into apartments. Portland Works is currently home to a dozen manufacturing companies, many of whom are long term tenants and who would have considerable difficulty in relocating. Both the companies and residents have voiced concerns at the plans for Portland Works.

Richard Caborn says:
“I am totally opposed to the redevelopment plans for Portland Works and that is why I am fronting this campaign. If the plans go ahead not only will a wonderful piece of architecture have its heart ripped out but traditional manufacturing companies are at risk of being lost from Sheffield.”

Paul Blomfield says:
“There aren’t a lot of small metal manufacturing workshops in the city any more, so where small companies are still involved in the metal trade we should support them. Forcing these firms to move out would be a real loss. Portland Works is a major part of Sheffield’s industrial heritage so I hope the application is turned down.”

http://www.labourmatters.com/sheffield-central-labour/caborn-and-blomfield-fight-for-sheffields-heritage/