Lewis's fifth floor: Liverpool's forgotten design storey

Stephen King's project began in 2008, when the artist approached producers Neutral Spoon with an idea to celebrate Lewis's 150-year history
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

The fifth floor had once been a busy shopping space, complete with three restaurants and a hair salon
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

After gaining access to the fifth floor, King realised he needed people to bring the space alive. Enter 38 members of staff, past and present, who agreed to be photographed and interviewed
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

A former member of staff cuts a nostalgic figure in the deserted kitchen
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Two employees pose among an abandoned jumble of manequins
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Not everything had been cleared away since its closure. Here, relics from various decades are stacked up
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Spider-Man, plastic dogs and giant Monopoly boards have left their mark – but the mosaic tiles look original
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Much of the stock, such as these Christmas decorations, was left to its fate when the floor closed
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Many of the fixtures, such as this rather elegant lighting rig, have remained untouched for decades
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

Even the wallpaper in one of the fifth floor restaurants remains just as it was
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

And carefully coordinating tiles were left in place, too
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

An ornate metallic frieze stands intact beside the dining area
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

As does this rather beautiful 50s flower-print wallpaper
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store

An exhibition dedicated to Lewis's fifth floor will be at Liverpool's National Conservation Centre from 26 February to 31 August 2010. Meanwhile, interviews with the staff and more photographs can be found on the project's website
Photograph: Stephen King/Lewis's Department Store