People in Sheffield offer mixed views around plans for the old Cole Brothers building
It shut 5 years ago in 2021
There's hope the old Cole Brothers building in Sheffield can start to 'maximise its heritage' moving forwards.
Sheffield City Council now has planning permission with developer Urban Splash to revamp the Grade II listed building.
This former department store in the city centre - was first renowned as Cole Brothers - & John Lewis after that - before its closure in 2021.
In 2022 - it was given Grade II listed status - meaning extra efforts must be made to preserve it.
Sheffield City Council now want to re-open it either later this year or in early 2027 as a multi-use destination - with shops, cafes, bars, & a rooftop garden.
Peter lives in Chesterfield - but often made special visits to Sheffield to go to the ex-department store with his family:
"It used to be a great place where you could go and look around bedrooms - which you could never afford to buy - but you'd have a nice wonder around it and think about what you'd buy if you won on the pools.
"You could buy sewing kits, armchairs, curtains, beds - all those sorts of things."
Peter's daughter - Jo - wants it to be accessible for everybody down the line:
"It would be very nice if it could be used as a community space that was free for everyone in the city to use.
"Just the kind of space where people can hang out and not spend a ton of money would be great."
Some people - like Phillip - who's lived in Sheffield for the last 35 years - tell me it's better to leave certain things in the past:
"It's an eyesore. It may be a Grade II listed building, but that's controversial.
"Why not just knock it down, get rid of it, and build an urban park here instead?"
"I just don't find it attractive at all - especially when you've got the beautiful city hall opposite."
The building was originally built in 1963.