Harvey Nichols stores in Leeds and Bristol to become Flannels, say reports

Rowley, who worked in the Leeds store between 1998 and 2016, said the reports had left him “incredibly sad”.

“It changed the face of the landscape of retail,” he explained.

Rowley, who now works in art dealership management, said the store brought a touch of glamour, including customers such as Adele, Hollywood actress Liv Tyler and even homegrown Spice Girls star Mel B – who gave him tickets to the group’s concert.

Shuttleworth, who is the chief executive of Savvy Marketing, said “I think there’s a lot of thriving retail here in Leeds and retail in Leeds isn’t just about the people who live in Yorkshire.

“It’s a real tourist magnet. People come to Leeds for the weekend, to go shopping, we’ve got the Victoria Centre and Trinity Centre.”

She also questioned whether the firm’s decision to retain Harvey Nichols stories in Manchester, Edinburgh and London, could mean people looking for a shopping weekend might swerve Leeds in future.

“Will more people go elsewhere, to Manchester?

“That’s the worry isn’t it – that those high-end luxury shoppers will go elsewhere and Leeds has got to fight hard for that retail pound.

“People stay in hotels, drink in our bars, we want them here. It’s important for the city, so I think it’s a really sad day.”