Cutlers' Hall

Prior to 1638, the cutlers met in rented accommodation with tradition saying that this was a public house on Fargate, although there is no documentary evidence to back this up.

The first Cutlers' Hall, a stone building with a slated roof, was built in 1638 at a cost of £155 15s 10d, of which £57 18s 4d was raised by subscription.

The building was quickly found to be inadequate, having to be repaired on many occasions and in 1725, a new Cutlers' Hall was erected on the same site at a cost of £442 (equivalent to £71,226 in 2023).

The Cutlers' Hall was built by Samuel Worth and Benjamin Broomhead Taylor at a cost of £6,500 (equivalent to £760,000 in 2023).

It consists of six columns and pilasters (from the example of the remains of the celebrated temple of Jupitor Stator), supporting a proporitionate entablature, which is surmounted by an enriched attic order, and crowned in the centre with the Cutler’s arms in bold relief.

Further on is the grand staircase, lighted from the dome, and ascending by a double flight of stops to the saloon.

[6] The shop which stood to the west of the entrance in Church Street was demolished for the expansion of the hall frontage.

The painting was done by F. Jeckell, Glossop road, the stove grates were by Steel and Garland, the chimney pieces were from Messrs Yates, Haywood and Co., of Rotherham, the gas chandeliers were manufactured by Messrs. Hart, Sons, Peard and Co of Regent Street, London.

There is a selection of old Hallamshire knives on show inside the hall, some of which go back to the Elizabethan era.