We’re delighted to announce Atkinsons of Sheffield as the winner of Furniture Retailer of the Year at the My Local Awards 2026 Yorkshire.

This award celebrates retailers that combine quality, service and a real understanding of their customers, and Atkinsons of Sheffield is a truly deserving winner. As a family-run independent department store with more than 40 departments, three eateries and an on-site car park, Atkinsons has been a fixture of city life for generations. Its furniture department is a huge part of that story, offering customers not just products for the home, but genuine service, trusted advice and the kind of shopping experience that keeps people coming back.

What makes this win especially meaningful is the history behind it. Founded in 1872 by John Atkinson, the business is now in its fourth generation and has been proudly serving Sheffield for an incredible 154 years. In a retail world that has changed beyond recognition, Atkinsons has stayed true to what matters most: being independent, knowing its customers and delivering service the right way.

A Sheffield institution built to last

Atkinsons of Sheffield is much more than a store. It is part of the fabric of the city. For well over a century, it has served local shoppers with the kind of personal approach that only an independent family business can offer. That longevity is remarkable in itself, but it is made even more special by the fact that Atkinsons is now the last department store in Sheffield.

That is an extraordinary milestone. To have served the people of Sheffield for 154 years and still be going strong is a huge achievement and one the business is rightly proud of. It reflects generations of hard work, smart decision-making and a lasting connection with local customers.

The furniture department has played an important part in that story. Homes change, styles evolve and customer expectations shift over time, but Atkinsons has continued adapting while keeping the same values at its core. That ability to modernise without losing identity is one of the reasons the store remains such an important retail destination today.

Built on customer service and local knowledge

Atkinsons believes its difference comes from being independent, from having local buyers who know the area and the people, and from understanding what it means to be truly Yorkshire. That local knowledge matters. It shapes the products they choose, the way they serve customers and the atmosphere people experience when they shop there.

In furniture retail, trust is everything. Buying for the home is often a significant decision, and customers want to feel confident not only in the product itself but in the people helping them choose. Atkinsons has built that confidence over decades by focusing on customer service and making sure people feel looked after both in store and through aftercare.

That commitment is one of the clearest reasons behind this award. The team works hard to make sure every customer has a positive and consistent experience, leaving a lasting impression whether they are visiting the store for the first time or returning years later. That kind of reliability cannot be faked, and it has clearly earned the loyalty of generations of shoppers.

Adapting for today’s customer

One of the most interesting parts of Atkinsons’ reaction to winning this award is their recognition that, until a few years ago, the furniture department may have been seen as being aimed more at the older customer. Rather than resisting change, the team embraced it.

They see this award as recognition of the flexible, adaptable approach they have taken in both product and customer service to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s customer. That is an important point. Winning in retail is not only about heritage. It is also about staying relevant, understanding what modern customers want and evolving accordingly.

Atkinsons has clearly done that well. The furniture department has not rested on tradition alone. It has continued to modernise, refresh its offering and serve customers in ways that feel current while still holding onto the high standards and personal touch that define the wider store. That balance between tradition and progress is not easy to achieve, but Atkinsons has managed it impressively.

Resilience through changing times

Like so many retailers, Atkinsons faced enormous challenges during Covid. For a business so rooted in in-store experience and personal service, that period tested resilience in every possible way.

One especially touching example of how they responded came from Chairman Nicholas Atkinson, who wrote a weekly newsletter to customers to help keep them engaged with the business. That simple act says a lot about the relationship Atkinsons has with the people it serves. It was not just about staying visible as a retailer. It was about maintaining connection, reassurance and a sense of continuity during a difficult period.

That effort reflects the character of the business as a whole. Atkinsons is not a faceless chain. It is a store with history, personality and real relationships at its heart. When times were tough, they found ways to stay connected to their customers, and that kind of loyalty works both ways.

Proudly part of Sheffield

Atkinsons’ connection to its city could hardly be expressed more simply or more perfectly than in their own words: “Sheffield likes Atkinsons and Atkinsons likes Sheffield.” That warmth and mutual loyalty says everything.

This is a business that has grown with the city and remained part of its everyday life for generations. It also takes that role seriously, supporting local good causes and Sheffield Children’s Hospital, showing that its commitment to the area goes beyond retail alone.

That local identity matters because it helps explain why customers continue to support Atkinsons so strongly. People know they are backing a business that is part of Sheffield’s story, one that understands the community because it has been woven into it for well over a century. In a time when so many places have lost long-standing independents, Atkinsons stands as a reminder of what makes local retail special.

What this award means

For Atkinsons, this award is a sign that the customers they serve are saying thank you. In their words, it means customers are telling them, “we value you and we are grateful for the difference you make.” That is a powerful reflection of the bond the store has built over time.

It also reinforces the team’s commitment to continuing to deliver the best levels of customer service, getting it right every time. That consistency is clearly something they take seriously, and it is one of the main reasons this recognition feels so well earned.

Looking ahead, Atkinsons plans to continue investing in and modernising the store to improve the customer experience even further. That is exactly what you would hope to hear from a business with such strong foundations: proud of its history, but still looking ahead.

Congratulations to Atkinsons of Sheffield

At My Local Awards 2026 Yorkshire, we are proud to celebrate businesses that combine heritage, service and a real connection to their local community. Atkinsons of Sheffield is a fantastic example of that.

From its beginnings in 1872 to its place today as Sheffield’s last department store, Atkinsons has remained true to its values while continuing to adapt for modern customers. Its furniture department has shown exactly why independent retail still matters: knowledgeable staff, trusted service and a shopping experience that puts people first.

Congratulations to Atkinsons of Sheffield, a highly deserving winner of Furniture Retailer of the Year 2026.

And finally, a message from the team: “Thank you for taking the time out to support us. We look forward to welcoming you when you’re next ready to update your home with our award-winning furniture department.”