Atkinsons on The Moor flies the flag for independent department stores

In an age of online shopping and national chains, there is something rather special about a family-owned department store. Atkinsons is exactly that: an independent, two-floor store on The Moor, Sheffield's pedestrianised shopping street, selling fashion, furniture, cookware and electrical goods under one roof.

The store covers 75,000 square feet, and it is designed to be easy to reach. It sits on a street well served by public transport, and a 400-space car park above the store, accessed from Charter Row, gives shoppers direct access to both the ground and first floors.

Fashion is at the heart of the offer. The womenswear department includes labels such as Barbour, Seasalt, Joules, White Stuff, French Connection and Fransa, with everything from knitwear and blouses to dresses, jumpsuits and coats. In menswear, shoppers will find Barbour, Cavani, Guess, Meyer, Selected Homme and Superdry among others, with blazers and suits alongside casual knitwear and outerwear.

Beyond clothes, the fragrance and beauty department stocks names including L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Neal's Yard and This Works, while the home departments cover bedding, towels, rugs, curtains, lighting, luggage and kitchenware. Concessions inside the store include Pavers Shoes and Apricot clothing, as well as shoe repairs and key cutting.

Atkinsons is also part of the story of The Moor itself. The street's shops were rebuilt in the 1950s after damage in the Second World War and pedestrianised in 1979, and today market stalls occupy the former roadway. Wikipedia's account of the street names Atkinsons as its independent department store among a line-up of big high street names.

Welcome to Sheffield includes Atkinsons in its guide to independent shopping in the city, a reminder that independent spirit can thrive on a main shopping street as well as on the quirky side streets.

Atkinsons is at 78-82 The Moor and is open seven days a week. Opening hours and the online shop can be found on the Atkinsons website.