IKEA opens their 20th UK store in Sheffield

Home furnishings retailer IKEA today opens the doors of its much-anticipated store on Sheffield Road, Tinsley.

The retailer celebrated the new opening with an exciting ceremony hosted by Gillian Drakeford, IKEA UK and Ireland Country Manager, alongside Garry Deakin, IKEA Sheffield Store Manager, The Swedish Ambassador His Excellency Mr Torbjörn Sohlström, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Anne Murphy and the leader of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Julie Dore.

Loyal fans travelled to IKEA Sheffield to be the first through the doors and experience the brand’s famous Swedish hospitality. Celebrations began on opening day morning with a ‘Fika’ cart laden with drinks and sweet treats, as well as music and entertainment from a steel band and juggler.

The 35,000 sqm store will provide the full IKEA range of quality products at affordable prices and will include inspirational room sets, a crèche, restaurant, bistro and car park with around 1,000 free spaces.

The IKEA Sheffield store, the 20^th in the UK, has created over 480 jobs in a wide range of roles including customer relations, contact centre, sales, interior design and in the IKEA restaurant. Over 90% of the new team has been recruited from the Sheffield and South Yorkshire area.

Garry Deakin, IKEA Sheffield Store Manager, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be opening our doors to the city of Sheffield today as we know that people in Sheffield have long been anticipating our arrival. 

“Both myself and my talented team are looking forward to welcoming the people of South Yorkshire to the store, where they will be able to discover our unique shopping experience and inspirational home furnishings expertise. 

“We’re proud to be joining such a wonderful community and look forward to continuing to work with our local charity partners.”

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said: “Any investment in Sheffield is welcome but this IKEA development is something special. IKEA is an iconic global brand that sits well in Sheffield. They are creating hundreds of jobs which will provide local people with real employment prospects and the opportunity to progress. The opening is a great day but the benefits of the new IKEA store will be felt for years to come.”

Following ‘The Wonderful Everyday Tour’, organised by IKEA, which saw a variety of events and installations pop up around Sheffield for the community to enjoy in the lead up to the opening, further celebrations including craft workshops and cookery classes will be continuing in the store over the coming months. Customers will be able to experience a range of different activities, including delicious food sampling, workshops and an exclusive student evening which will give advice on eating healthily on a budget and information on essential and affordable items for student living.

IKEA Sheffield is the retailer’s most sustainable store to date and has achieved a BREEAM* ‘excellent’ accreditation. The design incorporates a number of sustainable technologies including photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting as part of the store’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2020. The store is also equipped with electric vehicle charging points on site providing renewably generated power for EV vehicles.  

Gillian Drakeford, IKEA UK and Ireland Country Manager, said: “Today is an important milestone for us, with IKEA Sheffield being our 20th store in the UK. The opening of IKEA Sheffield marks the continuation of a significant period of growth for our business. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary in the UK next month, we remain committed to building a strong and trusted brand whilst continuing to bring IKEA closer to the many people. In addition to IKEA Sheffield, we will be opening two new stores in Exeter and Greenwich before the end of 2018.”

IKEA Sheffield is located on Sheffield Road, Tinsley and is served by the Carbrook tram stop. The retailer has invested a significant amount in improvements to the tram stop, cycleways and enhancing the efficiency of the bus fleet serving the store.

The latest opening hours, offers and events at the IKEA Sheffield store can be found here:http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/store/sheffield

Source: Insight DIY Team & IKEA Press Release

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