Developers line up to propose options for listed landmark property

Sheffield City Council says it has received a strong response from developers resulting in “six high-quality proposals” for the future of the Cole Brothers building, in Barkers Pool.

It says the final list of six developers provide a range of options for the refurbishment of the building – previously occupied by John Lewis – which will secure the next phase of the Heart of the City regeneration project.

The council says all six of the proposals are from experienced developers with a strong track record of redeveloping similar buildings.

All the proposals plan to retain and enhance the Grade II listed building, with a variety of measures to improve the building’s efficiency – in keeping with the council’s ambitions of achieving net zero by 2030.

Further analysis and discussion will be undertaken with the interested parties over the coming weeks. The council stresses details about the six proposals cannot be shared at this stage.

A final decision on the preferred bidder will be made by the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee as soon as possible after the local elections in May.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: “I am very pleased to see progress being made on the Cole Brothers building and it is fantastic to see so many developers saw the potential of the site and our city.

“The building sits right in the middle of our £470m Heart of the City regeneration project and I can’t wait to see how it ties in with the rest of the brilliant work going on there and across the whole city. I look forward to seeing the final option for consideration.

“As we look towards the future of Sheffield and all the impressive regeneration works, it is important we consider not just the overall look but the environmental impact these works have on our city.

“I am very happy to see this has been a key consideration in the development of these plans and we have shown we are committed to achieving net zero by 2030 through actions, not just words.”

The Cole Brothers building was Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England in August 2022.