Ikea's Edmonton go-ahead ends seven-year hitch

Ikea has secured planning consent for a fourth London area store after a seven-year planning wrangle.

The 301,400 sq ft (28,000 sq m) outlet at Edmonton, north London, was given the green light by the Deputy Prime Minister at the end of last week. Ikea would like nine stores within the M25, but has clashed with planners over its big-box format.

Ikea UK managing director Peter Hogsted said that if all goes to plan, the Edmonton store would be trading within a year. 'More stores in London will cannibalise sales and take pressure off other outlets,' he said.

Stockport is anticipated as the next planning decision.