Cole Brothers - Sad pictures inside the much-missed Sheffield shopping institution ahead of sale to a developer

Business Editor

Published 24th May 2022, 13:39 BST

The Cole Brothers building in Sheffield city centre closed for good last year - here’s what it looks like today.

The Star had exclusive access to the five-storey building – last used by John Lewis – as the council launches a sales process.

Inside were sad reminders of a much-loved shopping institution and place of work for hundreds of loyal and long-serving staff.

. John Lews in Sheffield City Centre is set to close. Picture: Chris Etchells

John Lewis in Sheffield city centre before it closed. Picture: Chris Etchells Photo: Chris Etchells

Looking towards the main entrance, the jewellery department and the front door. Photo: .

The John Lewis cafe was an institution within an institution. Photo: David Walsh

Almost everything has been stripped out of the building. Photo: David Walsh

Traffic cones dot the floor, covering up electrical sockets that used to power the beauty department. Photo: David Walsh

The building was 58 years old and the famous escalators often broke down. Photo: David Walsh

Looking towards the main entrance, the jewellery department and the front door. Photo: .

The John Lewis cafe was an institution within an institution. Photo: David Walsh

Almost everything has been stripped out of the building. Photo: David Walsh

Traffic cones dot the floor, covering up electrical sockets that used to power the beauty department. Photo: David Walsh