A brand new Ikea store has opened in Greater Manchester TODAY

A new IKEA store is set to open in Greater Manchester today, offering residents the opportunity to create their ‘dream storage space’.

The Scandi addition will open in a new location on Tuesday March 21st and will be a smaller store than the huge Ashton-under-Lyne site., dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning.

Customers can visit for home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal space in their home, according to the retail giant.

The brand new IKEA Plan and Order Point will open in Stockport and is promised to be part of a ‘transformation’ by the brand to become more accessible and sustainable for customers in the North West. 

It will be located inside the Merseyway Shopping Centre and not as big as the standard Ikea store but expected to be packed with kitchen and wardrobe solutions, including oven and hob options, kitchen fronts, worktops and appliances.

There’s also a dedicated space to IKEA’s popular PAX wardrobe system with doors, interior organisers, and knobs and handles to help customers build their ‘dream storage solution’.

Michael Parker, Area Manager of IKEA UK, said: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, continuing to make it easier for people to enjoy what IKEA offers using a variety of convenient ways.

“The North West is a key region for us, being home to over seven million people, and also being the place that IKEA first opened a UK store, 35 years ago in Warrington.

“This new Plan and Order Point, along with one already open in Aintree, Merseyside, and another soon to open in Preston, will allow customers to get inspiration and expert advice in convenient locations closer to where they live.

“Together with our existing stores in Ashton-under-Lyne and Warrington, remote planning and different delivery and collection services, we’re enabling an IKEA that’s there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”

The new branch has been carefully designed based on insights of how the people of Greater Manchester ‘want their kitchens to be brought to life’, according to an Ikea spokesperson, who says residents show a preference for kitchens in traditional styles, often in a L-shape. 

Customers can book an appointment, free of charge, to start their design journey with one of IKEA’s planning specialists or use the in-store self-service tools to design their own solution. Staff will be on hand to help customers order products from the full IKEA range, for delivery direct to the customer’s home or nearest collection point.

Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council, said: “Whilst many high streets are in decline, businesses are seeing Stockport as a place that is growing and expanding, and a great place to be.

“That sort of recognition is something of an endorsement especially from an organisation of IKEA’s calibre and reputation. Our ambitious £1bn regeneration programme is attracting a diverse mix of businesses to the town and they will be followed by a wide range of customers who have increasing reasons to visit Stockport.”

The Plan & Order Point in Stockport follows the opening of a Plan & Order Point in Aintree, Liverpool in December, with plans to open a third in the Preston area, coming later in 2023.

Opening hours are Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday 11am–5pm.

The Stockport store will be based at Merseyway Shopping Centre, Unit 82, Great Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1PD.

Appointments to consult with one of IKEA’s interior designers must be made in advance via the online booking system.