According to a trade advertisement, this firm began in 1814, though not until 1834 was scissors manufacturer Robert Gorrill listed in Duke Street.   By 1837, he was a partner in Gorrill & Bradshaw in Gibraltar Street, which was also where he lived.   By 1849, he had moved to Eyre Street, where he manufactured scissors, while also working as a shopkeeper.  (Edward Gorrill, presumably a relative, was a toolmaker and saw piercer in Eyre Street at this time.)   Robert Gorrill died on 22 April 1859, aged about 68, leaving under £200.  By 1862, the firm was styled Robert Gorrill & Son, scissors and tailors’ shears manufacturers, Eyre Street.  The trade mark was the words ‘IOU SERVICE’.  Edward Gorrill (Robert’s son), living in Heeley, was the senior partner during the 1860s and 1870s.  The firm won a prize medal at the London Exhibition (1879).   Edward Gorrill, Victoria Road, Heeley, died on 8 March 1882, aged 50.  He left £1,233 to his widow, Frances, at 159 Eyre Street.   

The firm became R. Gorrill & Co under Edward’s son, Robert (1863-1943).  In 1885, it advertised paper-hanger scissors.  It remained at Eyre Street until the First World War.  One trade advertisement (1901) listed scissors, razors, and pen and pocket cutlery.  Robert resided in Blair Athol Road, Endcliffe.  By 1916, the company had moved to Holland Street.  It traded into the 1920s, but Robert Gorrill seems to have retired and the firm was not listed by 1932.