Atkinsons boss says Meadowhall, Covid and Debenhams and John Lewis closures were 'devastating'
The boss of Sheffield’s last department store has described how Meadowhall and Covid threatened the business - but it had come back stronger.
Nicholas Atkinson said the number of people in the city centre plunged after pandemic closures in 2020 were followed by widespread working from home.
That period also saw the closure of John Lewis and Debenhams in 2021.
The effects were “quite devastating,” he said in his new monthly newsletter.
And they reminded him of the arrival of Meadowhall in 1990, when some predicted the centre of Sheffield would cease to exist.
Mr Atkinson, who has been in the business for 54 years, said: “I remember being interviewed by Look North about Meadowhall and being told by a university academic that the centre of Sheffield would not exist after it opened.
“Well, The Moor proved them wrong that time and survived to become even stronger and attract good retailers and became Sheffield’s premier shopping street.”
The impact of Covid had “settled down” he added, and it was time to “build back that confidence once again.”
Mr Atkinson said: “We know, we must keep those standards up and keep our commercial appeal, with a little help from your good selves!”
He added: “As I mentioned in last month's newsletter, we have got a good mix of shops on The Moor…We still have some more work to do!”
Responding online, Kate Townsend said: “It is great that Sheffield has its very own department store. A store which has now moved with the times, having choice of many good quality and prestigious names in the goods you provide.
“A whole day could be spent in your store browsing and then have a choice within the store of where to eat. Long live Atkinsons!”
Nicholas Atkinson is the fourth generation in the 154-year-old business, which has 41 departments, three restaurants, and a 400-space car park.
A fifth generation is “waiting in the wings.”