Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Hanover Works, Scotland Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

In July 2007, ARCUS were commissioned by Merlin Estates to undertake a desk-based assessment of the Hanover Works, Scotland Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (centred on SK 34897 87742). The assessment included a site visit, along with documentary and cartographic research. The proposal area is likely to have been in agricultural use as part of Sheffields Town Field during the medieval period but had been enclosed into small plots, probably allotment gardens, by the early 17th century. Further development had not occurred within the site by 1736, despite urbanisation throughout the immediate area. The proposal area had been developed by 1808, although details of individual structures were not shown until 1853. Many of the buildings shown at that date remained extant until the second quarter of the 20th-century. John Nowill and Sons Ltd, cutlery manufacturers, moved to the site between 1852 and 1856, and appear to have occupied a series of pre-existing, but formerly separate, industrial buildings. The Nowill works developed during the second half of the 19th century and dominated the proposal area until the mid-20th-century, although domestic properties and a public house were also located within the site. E. S. Shillito acquired the site in 1948 and constructed the present-day Hanover Works between 1950 and 1952. The new street frontage was constructed several metres to the south of its predecessor and infilled 19th-century cellarage is known to be located in the vicinity of the works forecourt. Prior to the creation of the embankment at the south of the site during the 1960s, this area consisted of a series of ruins within yards created by the demolition of the 19th-century works buildings. It is possible that deposits associated with these features may remain extant within or below the embankment. Depending upon the nature and extent of site clearance and landscaping works that took place in association with the construction of the Hanover Works, 19th-century subsurface archaeological features and deposits may remain in situ beneath the present-day structures. However, their condition cannot be determined on the basis of the current evidence. Should the decision be taken to demolish the sites standing buildings, further archaeological evaluation will be required in order to assess the extent of survival of sub-surface archaeological features and deposits.