Does anyone know any shops in town that sell (or repair) cuckoo clocks? That treasure Chest at Broomhill used to have a few on display but thats been closed for ages now.....

The only clock shop I know is on Abbey Lane (Woodseats end), but they are a specialist.

Get the number 72/75/76/53 bus and get off opposite KFC (or the next stop if you miss that one) on Woodseats - just before the Library, then turn right at the Abbey Pub down Abbey Lane. It's about a minute's walk further on.

Can't remember what it's called though - I've only walked past it every day for that last twenty years!

I know it's not in town, but watch shops are like gold dust!

Originally posted by mr_chris
The only clock shop I know is on Abbey Lane (Woodseats end), but they are a specialist.

From http://www.dorevillage.co.uk/doretodoorspr01/localhistoryspr01.htm

Good use of time
Although Sheffield has many amateur horologists, there are only three professional (Fellowship standard) clockmakers. Most likely in a few years, none. Our nearest Mr John di Nitto has a shop on Abbey Lane where amongst the faces of customers and clocks, he told me about being the "last of the line".

In the war years Nicolo di Nitto (his father) worked for H.L.Brown, then near Cockaynes and ran to search the shop when it was blitzed. From the smashed windows he retrieved bits and pieces, but lost all his tools. In a tin, in a drawer, lie the jewel holes saved from those days. Also very treasured boxwood tools, still used, sent then or later from colleagues at Barnby Rust in Hull when they heard of the disaster. A beautifully crafted wooden oil pot dated 1848 is one of them.

He then worked from home in Frecheville mostly trade work, copying. It was then at the age of only 8 that John learnt alongside his father ( reminiscent of Harrison senior and junior of longitude fame!) In his teens John was indentured to the family with a cousin and uncle all at Attercliffe. At the time Nicolo was Chairman of the British Horological Institute, with 30 or 40 members turning up to local meetings, all of them earning a living by clocks. Two Sheffield warehouses were needed to hold spare parts for the industry.

The next move was father to Sharrowvale Road and John to Campo Lane, then to the present shop. Neither he nor Keith Laycock of Spital Hill (who is half retired) have apprentices or family interested in continuing the business. Although retirement for John could not be clock free!
Over a period, digital watch and clock manufacture has decimated the trade. For £9.99 you can buy a digital watch which wouldn't cover the cost of replacing the glass on a traditional watch. Although there's a demand for jewellery repairs, they don't warrant a shop, and jobbing jewellers still exist in Sheffield. To Mr. di Nitto the shop window is not the heart of the business. Clock restoration is. These have never gone out of fashion and are possibly less neglected now that awareness of antiques shows us their true value. They are often faithful for 20 years or more before needing repair and adjustment. He has also helped with the installation of the new Millennium Methodist Church tower clock in Dore.

On his card it reads "Clockmaker to Sir Reresby Sitwell". Less exalted customers bring theirs in (often damaged by amateurs) and are assured of a lifetime's experience.

Gillian Farnsworth