Ikea unveils plans for new store in Sheffield
Home furnishings giant Ikea is planning to open a new store in Sheffield which will create up to 400 jobs for local people.
The retailer is in the process of preparing a planning application for the conversion of a derelict industrial site in the Sheffield Road area of the city.
The new 37,000 sq m store, which will sell the full range of Ikea products, will create up to 400 jobs including roles in customer relations, sales, interior design, IT, sustainability, marketing and the store’s restaurant. Ikea said it will work with local employment agencies to ensure that local people benefit from the jobs created.
Ian Nicholson, Ikea Sheffield project manager, explained: “We are really excited about the prospect of bringing Ikea’s value for money home furnishings offer to Sheffield. We have been looking for a site in South Yorkshire for many years now, as currently our customers in this area have to travel quite far to either Leeds or Nottingham to shop with us.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“An Ikea store in Sheffield will be a major boost to the whole city, not just in terms of jobs, but also by adding to the total retail offer. As is the case in cities across the UK, our store would complement, not compete with, the city centre retail offer. We are looking forward to introducing our plans to the local community in the coming weeks and hope as many people as possible attend the public exhibition to see for themselves what Ikea can offer to Sheffield.”
Prior to the plans being submitted, Ikea is running a programme of consultation with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders. Public exhibitions will be held on 19 April and 20 April in Sheffield City Centre.
In 2012, Ikea was granted planning consent from West Berkshire Council to build the 19th store in the UK in Calcot, Reading.
