Cole Brothers is back – and there’s a growing sense of momentum. The doors of the iconic Grade II-listed building that once housed John Lewis (and, before that, the original Cole Brothers) reopened on a number of occasions last year as a place for art, music and all manner of other cultural happenings.
Regeneration specialists Urban Splash have spent the past year reactivating the landmark site, offering a glimpse of what’s possible ahead of full redevelopment. And if recent events are anything to go by, the future looks promising.
To round off 2025, the building hosted a festive weekender that felt like a true celebration of local culture. The ChristmUS at Coles party brought together Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley behind the decks, followed by artist Pete McKee’s Christmas Youth Club Disco – a throwback night that had the makeshift dancefloor bouncing. On Sunday, longstanding nightlife institution Kabal took over, featuring sets from Toddla T’s Steeze Factory, along with MCs Slam Barz, Pipes and the FMG collective.
But it’s not all been parties. The building has quietly established itself as a hub for culture and collaboration. From Sensoria’s Light Organ – a striking blend of sound and sculpture – to hosting high-profile live recordings for podcast festival Crossed Wires (with guests including Greg James, Sara Cox and Andy Burnham), the building has shown its versatility as a creative venue.
And in a nod to the city’s vibrant street art scene, a large-scale new mural by Kid Acne now adorns the Cross Burgess Street side of the building – a bold visual signal that the space is coming back to life again.
So, what’s next? While the full redevelopment plans for 2026 are yet to be revealed, interest is building. Head to urbansplash.co.uk to stay up to date – and find out how you can help shape the future of one of Sheffield’s most iconic spaces.
DID YOU KNOW?
COLE BROTHERS THROUGH THE YEARS
Founded in 1847 by brothers John and Thomas Cole, the original store opened on Fargate before moving to Barker’s Pool in 1963, where it became a modern anchor of the city centre.
The current building is Grade II-listed, recognised for its striking post-war design by the renowned architect Sir John Lewis Womersley, who also worked on the Park Hill estate.
Richard Hawley’s Mercury-nominated album Coles Corner (2005) was inspired by the spot outside the store – once a well-known meeting place for lovers in Sheffield.
