Hopes were raised in January 1982 when Oneida, the world's largest cutlery manufacturer, bought Old Hall from Prestige, with the aim of adding Old Hall to their huge cutlery markets.  A severe pruning of the Old Hall range took place but this was unable to save the company from the economic pressures and, sadly, the factory and administration offices closed on Friday June 29th 1984, some 91 years after the formation of J & J Wiggin in that small stable back in 1893.

Old Hall had pioneered the use of stainless steel for tableware as a substitute for silver because it did not need regular polishing.  But it is a much more difficult material to work with, as it resists forming and can harden in the process and finishing is more expensive.  It is ideal for use in the tougher environments of the kitchen, industrial catering and medical fields.