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.
. Rackhams - 1985
The Hole in the Road at Castle Square in Sheffield city centre, with Rackhams department store, as it was then, on the left in December 1985 Photo: Picture Sheffield
. Banners - 1980
A closing down sale at John Banner Ltd department store on Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, in January 1980 Photo: Picture Sheffield / Sheffield Newspapers
. Banners - 1989
The old John Banner department store on Attercliffe Road in Sheffield in November 1989 Photo: Picture Sheffield
. Cole Brothers - 1987
The old Cole Brothers Store at Barker's Pool in Sheffield city centre in August 1987. It would later become John Lewis Photo: Picture Sheffield
. Sunwin House - 1987
Sheffield and Ecclesall Co-operative store (Sunwin House), on Cemetery Road, Sheffield, in 1987 Photo: Picture Sheffield / P. David Turton
. 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
. 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
9. Wingprice - 1988
Wingprice Ltd, which was previously Schofields (Yorkshire) Ltd and before that T. B. and W. Cockayne, on Angel Street, in Sheffield city centre in March 1988 Photo: Picture Sheffield
10. Castle House No. 2 - 1989
Castle House No. 2 on Angel Street, Sheffield, in November 1989. Completed in 1964, this was the Brightside and Carbrook Co-Op Society's premier department store until it closed in around 2008. It is today home to the popular food hall Kommune Photo: Picture Sheffield
11. Debenhams - 1980
Debenhams and The Moor, in Sheffield city centre, are looking particularly verdant in this photo from 1980 Photo: Picture Sheffield
12. Castle House restaurant - 1985
Society Park restaurant at Castle House No. 2, Brightside and Carbrook Co-op, on Angel Street, in Sheffield city centre, in September 1985 Photo: Picture Sheffield / Sheffield Newspapers