John Lewis: Sheffield Council takes no action on controversial listing

Leading councillors met for a special meeting of the strategy and resources committee today to decide how to respond to Historic England’s decision to give Grade II status to the crumbling 60-year-old landmark in Barker’s Pool – formerly known as Cole Brothers.

Historic England’s announcement – which gives the site extra protection against demolition or significant alteration – rocked the council as it was in the process of selling it off.

Ahead of the meeting, councillors expressed concern about developers withdrawing interest and the authority being faced with significant costs as a result.

Before the meeting, council leader Terry Fox wrote a letter to government criticising the decision and urging a pause to the listing but today, with fellow Labour and Green Party members, he voted to take no action.

Councillor Douglas Johnson, leader of Sheffield Green Party, said he supported taking no action because of a report by officers which he called “promising”.

He said: “Today’s decision to drop any formal challenge to the listing of the Coles building is the right one. I made the argument that, far from being a ‘brake on development’, heritage buildings have the potential to enhance regeneration of the city centre.

“Whatever happens, Sheffielders are going to keep on discussing the merits of the former John Lewis shop: whether it should be knocked down or even whether it should have been built in the first place. Listed building or not, we know there are developers with viable ideas to use the building. Looking forward, we should carry on with the process and see what those plans are in due course.“

Liberal Democrats disagreed. Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the party, said they abstained on the vote, having wanted a review of the listing instead.

He said: “That’s fine, they have done that and they are democratically elected, but what are the future consequences for Sheffield if development doesn’t take place?

“Having a building in the city centre in such a prominent place where lots of other development is taking place if it’s done well will add value to the city centre, if it gets developed but if it doesn’t, it will probably start to drag down the developments around it.”

What this could mean for the future of the John Lewis building

A total of 16 developers showed interest when demolition was still an option before the listing and questions remain as to how many have since withdrawn.

Kate Josephs, chief executive of the council, told the committee the majority of proposals by developers included retention of most of the building and that they were aware the council requested a certificate of immunity from listing.

She added: “When we were informed of the decision all bidders were notified by agents that the building had been listed and following discussions with our agency [we learned] that a number of those developers have indicated they remain very keen to progress their proposal.

“The council is therefore confident it can secure a private sector developer who will be able to bring forward a good scheme for reuse of the building from those who expressed an interest.

“Listing will of course affect how developers consider the site but it is too early to understand the financial implications of that.”

Why the council did not ask for a review

The council could have requested a review of the listing which may have overturned the decision.

But a report prepared for the committee highlighted the risk that any formal challenge like this would delay the process of finding a developer by several months and add uncertainty about the future of the building.

“Whilst the decision by the secretary of state to the list the building is not what was anticipated, does not accord with the public consultation undertaken by SCC on the future of the site which supported demolition and replacement and has caused some controversy and anger locally, it has provided the certainty required to take forward redevelopment of the building,” officers said.

“Requesting a review of the decision will, while either process is running, reintroduce uncertainty and could be costly. There is also a risk that developers currently interested in the scheme, despite its listed status, could withdraw.

“It is therefore recommended that in order to secure a future for thebuilding as soon as possible that the proposed recommendations areapproved.”

Mixed response

There was a mixed response when Sheffield first learned that Historic England – which previously refused an application to list the building in 2001 – changed its stance.

Its reasoning was that it “stands out as a rare surviving example of high modernism in department stores, with innovative design by a leading firm of architects and therefore meets the standards required”.

Coun Mazher Iqbal, chair of the regeneration committee, welcomed the news saying it was “fantastic” and he was embracing it.

But others including Paul Blomfield, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, disagreed with this and said it created “real challenges”.

He said: “Our post-war heritage is important but the last review concluded that the John Lewis building did not meet the high standards required for listing.

“Given the structural issues facing the building, Grade II status will impose huge costs on the council as the landlord and limit the city’s options in redeveloping this important site.

“It’s a decision which comes without financial support or recognition of the consequences. I’m confident that the council will make the best of the situation, but there’ll be lots of difficulties.”

Experts say the building would need a total revamp costing in the region of £65 million.

The council is due to select a developer by November.