Go-ahead secured for Cole Brothers redevelopment
Urban Splash has won approval to overhaul the former department store in Sheffield’s Barker’s Pool, a project designed by AHMM.
The grade two-listed 1963 building, which closed its doors in 2022, has long been a landmark in the city centre. Urban Splash was appointed by Sheffield City Council to lead its transformation after a competition.
Splash’s approved proposals will see the lower ground and ground floors transformed into leisure, entertainment, food, drink and retail space, while the upper floors will be converted into flexible workspace.
Plans also include the creation of a rooftop terrace, with the existing plant room repurposed as a restaurant or bar with an external terrace, accessed directly from ground level via the building’s main lift core.
The scheme will open up the Barker’s Pool and Cambridge Street frontages to create outdoor dining areas, echoing the successful on-street seating introduced along Division Street.
Sian Stanhope, development manager at Urban Splash said: “We are thrilled with this decision, which paves the way for bringing this much-loved building back into use for the people of Sheffield.
“We understand the significance of Cole Brothers, and at the heart of our proposal is a commitment to re-establishing it as a place for the city. Over the past year we have already introduced a range of successful meanwhile uses, hosting organisations and events including BBC Sounds, the Crossed Wires Festival, Jarvis Cocker and the FORM careers fair.
“Planning approval allows us to evolve that momentum into something permanent – creating new places to eat, shop and work, with lively ground floor uses and flexible workspace above to support Sheffield’s growing business community.”
The hunt is now on for occupiers, as Richard Lace, who joined last year from OBI as head of commercial lettings, explained: “Planning approval means we can move forward with discussions with occupiers, engaging with likeminded organisations who want to be a part of bringing Cole Brothers back to life.”
Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of Sheffield City Council’s transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: “This is an important milestone in the ongoing regeneration of Sheffield city centre. The former Cole Brothers building holds a special place in the hearts of many residents, and we welcome plans that will sensitively restore and reinvigorate it for a new generation.”
Elsewhere in Sheffield, Urban Splash is continuing onto a fourth phase of its long-term redevelopment of the Park Hill estate, having secured funding from Homes England in January.
