For far too long, the only way to get your hands on a flatpack desk, a three-pack of tealights and some Swedish meatballs was to trek to a massive retail park, or a motorway warehouse in the middle of nowhere. IKEA’s recent move toward city centre locations – like the one on London’s Oxford Street – has therefore been a welcome gear change. And there’s another one on the horizon.
Brighton-based Billy bookcase fans, rejoice. You’ll soon be in flatpack heaven, as a brand new IKEA is launching in Churchill Square next month. Opening on August 14, you’ll find the two-floor, 6,700-square-metre shop on the site of the old Debenhams.
Unlike full-sized IKEA mega-stores, this one’s tailored to city living. You’ll find around 2,500 smaller items you can carry home straight away, plus larger furniture you can order for delivery or collection. There’ll be roomsets, planning services, and a secondhand section for picking up pre-loved bargains. Most importantly, the Swedish Food Market is coming too, so yes, you’ll still be able to get your hands on those famous meatballs.
Karina Gilpin, the store manager, said they want the new spot to reflect ‘Brighton’s bold personality’ and its passion for ‘sustainable, affordable living’. Plus, Brighton & Hove Council leader Bella Sankey called the store a ‘vote of confidence in our city’, pointing to the new jobs and investment it’ll bring.
The shiny new IKEA will be open 10am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
So. there you go, Brightonians. No more treks to the middle of nowhere. No more begging your mate with a car to help you pick up a massive cuddly Djungelskog. IKEA is coming.
Want more than meatballs? Here's our list of the 21st best restaurants in Brighton.
Plus: an exhibiton of IKEA patterns is coming to one of Britain’s most culturally vibrant cities
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