New Sports Direct set to open at old TJ Hughes store in Sheffield city centre

The company has submitted plans to erect new signs above the old TJ Hughes store on The Moor.

The application shows signs for Sports Direct, USC, Game, Adidas and the Nike logo.

It says: “Former TJ Hughes to be converted to USC and Sports Direct. Main entrances to be branded with illuminated signage and at high level vinyl treatments of brand logos

“Red and blue LED lighting strips to be mounted to existing windows at high level above the Sports Direct entrance. White LED lighting strips to be mounted to existing windows at high level above the USC entrance.”

Sports Direct was unavailable for comment so it’s not known whether the new store is in addition to its existing one on High Street.

Back in 2019 the company said it had no plans to relocate its current store on High Street but the retail market moves quickly, especially following the pandemic.

Other household names which have quit Fargate and moved to the Moor include H&M, Next and New Look.

TJ Hughes has stood empty since it announced it would be closing its store on The Moor back in February 2020.

At the time, the firm said: “We are extremely saddened by the need to take this decision, and it hasn’t been taken lightly. However, the retail world is changing quickly, and it is necessary for our business to evolve.

“We need to embrace this change to ensure our remaining businesses can grow strongly, at the same time we have to have the correct cost base, which is why we have to work very hard on our landlord relationships.

“As a result of this reorganisation, the group will be on a far sounder footing and able to further protect its remaining businesses by being able to explore other strategic acquisitions, which will bolster the strength of the group, save jobs and provide greater security for the remaining group.”

Sports Direct currently has stores at High Street, Drakehouse Retail Park, Fox Valley shopping centre and Meadowhall.