A consultancy firm published a report today outlining various options for Sheffield’s John Lewis building.

The Barker’s Pool site has been closed ever since the retail giant abandoned it in July this year. Almost 300 jobs were lost, leaving a void in the centre of the city.

Consultancy firm Fourth Street has offered up various options, such as changing the site into flats or even demolishing the building completely.

Dan Anderson, the director at the forefront of the project, summarised their findings.

He said: “In our professional judgement, the best option is to remove the building and introduce a civic building at the far end, to frame what could be a fantastic world class public space.

“Whether it’s a park, a piazza or plaza, whatever you want to call it.

“That is only our recommendation, it’s not the council’s decision yet as we now need to discuss this more widely with the public.”

This public consultation will begin early next year, with a number of options on the table.

Coun Mazher Iqual, who is in charge of development and regeneration in the city, is excited with what is to come.

He said: “The first starting point for me is, let’s be bold and let’s have a conversation across the city.

“I’d like something iconic there, that says this is what Sheffield is all about.”