Ikea plans new London store

Ikea has revealed plans for a new-format multi-storey store at Hillingdon in west London, which will create 500 jobs.

The 215,285 sq ft (20,000 sq m) shop will be part of a development also including 240 homes, of which 117 are to be affordable housing. The Ikea outlet, next to Hillingdon tube station, will include more than 850 parking spaces.

Ikea hopes the store will help reduce the pressure on its Brent Park store in north London, the busiest Ikea store in the world. The popularity of London branches has led to long queues and traffic congestion.

The retailer has had difficulty obtaining planning permission for future sites and hopes that developing mixed-use schemes will lead to more success with the planners.