IKEA is to open a new location in Greater Manchester, it has been revealed.
The retail giant will set up a new site in Stockport along with other new stores in Aintree and Preston in the coming weeks. The 'Plan and Order Point' is expected to employ six people.
One location is on track to be opened before Christmas, but exact opening dates and locations of the news stores have not yet been announced.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , deputy country retail manager Marsha Smith said other locations are also being considered across the North West.
The first IKEA store in the UK opened in Warrington 30 years ago, followed by a store in Ashton-under-Lyne. The announcement comes after then-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott blocked plans for IKEA to open a store off the M60 in Stockport in 2007.
It was said at the time that the store would have created 600 jobs and would have been a £30m investment. The move sparked fury, and it was a bitter blow to Stockport council, who saw the store as a key part of its regeneration plans.
Mr Prescott rejected the plans because IKEA had not demonstrated there were not other more suitable sites available. He said a lack of public transport links would increase traffic congestion and that IKEA would harm other similar stores in the area.
This time round, IKEA said the new locations would 'complement' the larger stores and provide customers with a 'free, bespoke design consultation with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts'.
The company added that the focus will be on 'bespoke kitchen and wardrobe designs, although customers will be able to get help planning any room in their home'.
Although the exact locations of the three new north west locations are still being kept under wraps, IKEA has confirmed they will be located in retail parks and shopping centres. They are expected to showcase around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions as well as having a consultation area.
Although much smaller than a standard IKEA store, the retailer said the units will be 'packed with information, samples, tools and specialist knowledge needed to plan a kitchen or bedroom storage solution'. There will be no products to take away or food for sale on site.
Marsha Smith said: "Our investment in the north west is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, making it easier for our customers to shop with using a number of convenient ways.
"With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.
"Our expert co-workers will be available to help the customers to plan affordable kitchens or bedroom – helping our customers to create a better everyday life at home. We offer a full complement of affordable services including finance, installation and assembly."
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