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IKEA is closing one of its big UK stores for the first time

The Swedish furniture giant has announced one of its large stores will be closing by summer 2020 – but is it your local shop? 

ikea front signage angle - goodhomesmagazine.com

Image: IKEA

If you’re an IKEA fan (and to be honest who isn’t), we’ve got some bad news for you – the furniture brand famous for its flatpack furniture will be closing one of its large stores in the UK for the first time. But which store is it?

It’s the residents of Coventry who could soon see themselves with a distinct lack of Billy bookcases and Swedish meatballs, as its city centre store is the one destined for closure.

Why is it closing?

Coventry’s IKEA is a little bit different, as it was built back in 2007 in a suprisingly central spot for the brand which usually opts for larger, out-of-town plots for its stores. With a more compact space to build on, the store was constructed over 7 levels, leading to higher running costs.

Adding to that, IKEA say that the store hasn’t achieved the number of customers predicted: “The changing behavior of customers in the area who prefer to shop in retail parks and online has resulted in visitor numbers being substantially lower than expected and continuing to decrease over time. These factors have led to the store making consistent losses,” a press release states.

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Image: IKEA

Despite the closure, IKEA is still investing in the UK. It opened its most sustainable store in Greenwich in 2019, as well as two kitchen and bathroom design studios in London. It was also announced earlier this year that IKEA wold be trialling smaller high street stores, starting in London.

When will it close? 

IKEA is now entering a consultation phase with the 352 workers currently employed with the store, but believe the store could be closed from as early as summer 2020.

Where will my nearest store be?  

The nearest store to Coventry is Birmingham – around 30 miles extra to travel.

 

Are you sad to see this IKEA close? Tweet us @goodhomesmag or post a comment on our Facebook page.

 

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