John Lewis & Partners has agreed a new 20-year lease to 2040 with Sheffield City Council, to remain at its Sheffield City store.
The agreement includes plans to refurbish the store in 2021, the details for which are under review.
Chris Harris, director of property and procurement at John Lewis Partnership, said: “Shops continue to play a crucial role in our brand story, alongside a strong e-commerce offering. Our focus is on ensuring that we have the right space in the right locations where our customers want to shop.
“We have had a presence in Sheffield for over 70 years and we have a loyal customer base in the city.”
Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield City Council, said that securing the retailer’s presence in the city centre has been one of its “key long-term ambitions”.
He added: “The restructured 20-year lease will help safeguard a significant number of jobs and retains the famous Cole Brothers building as its rightful use – a department store.”
The new lease forms part of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City II proposals. Queensberry is the council’s strategic development partner on its plans to regenerate the city centre.
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