But it wasn’t always that way. There used to be a number of department stores in Sheffield city centre and elsewhere in the city, which have come and gone while only Atkinsons – which has been trading for more than 150 years – has stood the test of time.
As well as Debenhams and John Lewis, Sheffield has lost department stores including BHS, Cockaynes, Cole Brothers, Banners and Rackhams over the years. These photos show several of those shops, with some of the buildings having since been given a new lease of life, while others are standing empty or have been demolished.
How many of the stores in this retro photo gallery do you remember and which did you shop at? All photos are courtesy of Picture Sheffield.
5. Sunwin House - 1987
Sheffield and Ecclesall Co-operative store (Sunwin House), on Cemetery Road, Sheffield, in 1987 Photo: Picture Sheffield / P. David Turton
6. Atkinsons - 1996
John Atkinson Ltd department store (incorporating J. Sainsbury's) on The Moor in May 1996. Atkinsons was founded in 1872 and is still going strong more than 150 years later. It is today the only surviving department store in Sheffield city centre Photo: Picture Sheffield
7. Debenhams - 1987
Debenhams department store at the top of The Moor in Sheffield city centre, with Telephone House in the background, in 1987. Debenhams closed in 2021 and the building is still empty Photo: Picture Sheffield
8. Atkinsons kitchenware department
Shoppers in the kitchenware department of Atkinsons on The Moor, Sheffield, at some point during the 1980s or 1990s. The exact date is unknown Photo: Picture Sheffield / G Sweetman