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Unofficial Website
High Street - The Three Cranes
Behind the facade of this building still skulk the remains of the Three Cranes Inn. The twin gables suggest a timber-framed building behind the facade. This dates from the 15th century with late 16th/early 17th century additions. The interior remains include a coved dais canopy which is the only existing example in South Yorkshire. The street frontage was then occupied by shops with access to the inn down an alley.
The Three Cranes originally occupied one half of a much larger building with four gables facing the High Street. The lower two gables, which originally belonged to another inn called The Swan, were demolished in 1963 when Freeman, Hardy Willis rebuilt their shop; this site is now occupied by the Dragon Pearl Restaurant. This part of the building was the old Wakefield Army Stores.
I am afraid there is very little to see here. Rotherham Civic Society have been trying for years to get the interest and more importantly large sums of money to renovate the building sympathetically but without luck.
On the subject of the Three Cranes I have received an email from John O'Connor:-
"In 1979 I was fortunate to be invited to the Gentlemen's Club on Moorgate Street (now sadly closed). As I knew the then Manager I was given permission to go onto the roof. Unfortunately I did not have my camera but from the back of the club you could stare down to the Three Cranes pub on the right hand side. The old pub sign was still intact and moving in the wind. The street was about 5' 6" wide and 20' long, now the home to hundreds of pigeons. The building was in remarkable condition and appeared to have been constructed from oak. The paint having long gone. Best description would be similar to the Shambles in York."
Thank you John for sharing this scene with us. Your vivid description is as close as most people are ever going to come to this important part of Rotherham's heritage. That was nearly thirty years ago and the birds are still the only visitors.
September 2001 There was a fire in the property a couple of doors down but this was prevented from spreading into the adjoining buildings.
August 2002 The Three Cranes has been sold at auction in London for about £81,000; a bid which pipped the South Yorkshire Historic Buildings Trust who could only go to £80,000. The identity of the purchaser is unknown at present, but it is hoped that they will work with Rotherham Civic Society and other interested parties to restore the Grade II starred mediaeval building.
September 2003 The Three Cranes headed the list of buildings that the people of Rotherham would most like to see restored. There is talk of pressuring the new owners into taking some suitable action but I expect that it is just gas the same as before.
March 2004 The shop beneath - the old Wakefield Army Stores has been had been repaired and has now opened as yet another cut price discount store. I have absolutely no idea what has happened to the Three Cranes Yard.
October 2004 The discount shop S-Mart is closed and shuttered.
April 2005 The discount shop owners have agreed to tone down the garish red paint adorning their shop front, though whether they will or not is another matter. Apparently they are trying to get a new tenant for the shop. Well anybody wanting a shop in High Street has a plethora of choice. The shutters are now a nice shade of green.
As I write this in December 2007 something had been going off in the building. Whether this was just squatters or a determined efforts to do something about restoration I don't know! May 2008 – nothing so far.