Historic England has confirmed it is planning a programme of “thematic research” on department store heritage, following a wave of store closures in recent months and work by campaign groups on the issue.

The plans emerged as the 1960s Cole Brothers department store in Sheffield, designed by Yorke, Rosenberg & Mardall, was awarded grade II listed status by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on the recommendation of Historic England. The now-empty store faces grade II* listed Sheffield City Hall.

The government heritage adviser said the store, which was home to a branch of John Lewis until last year, was “a rare example of a post-war department store – designed by a leading mid-C20 firm of architects – with clean, crisp Modernist lines and a sophisticated layout for shoppers”.

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