Sheffield department store Sandersons to close

Sandersons, once hailed as the future of retail, has announced its impending closure. This department store, located in the Fox Valley development in Sheffield, opened in 2016 on the site of a former steelworks, but now faces closure.

The family-run boutique, which employs 19 staff, will close in March after a "business review." A spokesperson stated: "We have made the difficult decision to close our Fox Valley store. Our priority is to support all colleagues affected by the closure in finding new employment, hopefully within the centre."

The Fox Valley development was built on 28 acres of land formerly occupied by the Outokumpu factory. The site is owned by Dransfield Properties, who also own the Sandersons brand. Sandersons confirmed that its other store in Stroud will remain open, and they plan to expand their online services.

It is understood that several potential tenants are currently in talks with the retail park, hoping to take over the store's space. In recent years, Sheffield has faced challenges in retaining department stores, with both Debenhams and John Lewis closing their city center locations in 2021.