Reading IKEA to open in summer 2016

Reading’s long-awaited IKEA superstore will finally open next summer, the company has revealed.

The hotly-anticipated opening has been confirmed in a series of letters distributed to homes close to the store’s location in Pincents Lane, Calcot .

Homeowners received letters on Friday, August 14, from the store’s new manager Johanna Heuren confirming that all the outstanding paperwork over the site has been sorted.

- Store will open next summer
- 350 jobs will be created
- New website launched for Reading store
- People living near store will get newsletters informing them of progress

She says construction will begin immediately and that fit outs of the new store will carry on over the next year, culminating with opening in summer 2016.

She also confirms the company will be looking to recruit 350 new staff to work at the store.

In the letter, she says: “For many years, IKEA has focused on having a positive impact on people, communities and the environment and I am committed to ensuring we are a good neighbour and a community partner that has a positive impact on our local area.

People living near the store can expect more updates to come through their doors and the company has also launched a new website www.ikea.com/gb/en/store/reading which will have information on how to apply for jobs.

Plans for the store were submitted in February 2011, and given initial approval in August 2012.

But then in September 2014, the company applied to West Berkshire Council to reduce the size of the store, from the permitted three-storey 38,000 sqm store to a two-storey one

Anyone with enquiries about the construction process, which is being carried out by RG Group, email Garry Moore on garry.moore@rg-group.co.uk.

For more information on the store plans email sara.price@crccommunications.co.uk.

Source : Hugh Fort - Get Reading.co.uk
www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/long-awaited-reading-ikea-open-9858146