The bad news of its closure was announced by the company one year later, bringing to an end a piece of Sheffield history that went back to 1847, when Cole Brothers opened their first store on Fargate.
Usually, March was a happy time when staff, who are called partners as they have a share in the business, found out what their bonus would be.
The store has always been called Cole Brothers or just Coles by generations of Sheffielders. Here we look back on just a small part of that history in pictures, dating from the point when Coles moved from Fargate to Barker’s Pool.
9. Seventies Coles
Cole Brothers in Barker's Pool, Sheffield in 1973, before Barker's Pool was pedestrianised Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
10. Coles Corner
The old Cole Brothers department store on Fargate, Sheffield in April 1964 - this is the famous Coles Corner Photo: SNL
11. Moving on
Demolition of Cole Brothers' old store on Fargate, Sheffield on October 15, 1964 Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
12. Changing view
Barker's Pool, Sheffield with the new Cole Brothers store beyond the Gaumont Cinema on the left. This picture was taken from the Goodwin Fountain outside Sheffield Town Hall on August 18, 1964 Photo: Sheffield Newspapers