Rooftop football pitch plan for ex-John Lewis store

The building, which is Grade II-listed, is to be named Cole Store

Fresh images of plans to develop a department store building have been released, complete with designs for a rooftop football pitch and padel courts.

Sheffield's former John Lewis store in Barker's Pool closed in 2021, having originally opened in 1963 as Cole Brothers.

The Grade II-listed statement building is being repurposed by Urban Splash, which has held consultation sessions showing off their plans.

"Our vision includes provision for cafés, restaurants, shops, leisure facilities, potentially cultural spaces and flexible workspace on upper floors," Urban Splash said in marketing material for the plans.

Artist renders showing what the building could look like includes rooftop activies

The building could become a "vibrant, mixed-use space", the developer said.

When the store opened in the 1960s, it offered 200,000 sq ft (18,580 sq m) of retail space across five floors.

Following the closure of the retail unit, Sheffield City Council appointed Urban Splash - who have been behind the regeneration of the city's Park Hill flats - to transform the building.

Inside the building there would be shops and co-working spaces

The new building would be called Cole Store as nod to the past and feature flexible workspaces as well as retail, foot and drink outlets, Urban Splash said.

A five-a-side football pitch could be created on the roof, along with padel tennis courts and space for pop-up events.

Plans also include an underground space for a gym, nightclub or leisure facility.

A climbing wall, padel courts and an outside seating area feature in the artist impressions of the building

The building, which was given Grade-II listed status in August last year after being recognised by Historic England, was designed by Yorke Rosenberg and Mardall in 1961.

It is described by Historic England as "a rare example of a post-war department store designed by a leading architects' firm".

A 12-day consultation period where the public were invited to share their ideas closed earlier in the week.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.