Ikea confirms plans to shut one of its largest UK stores

The company said it will close the doors of its £35 million Coventry branch, which opened at Christmas in 2007, with 352 workers expected to lose their jobs.

The Swedish furniture and home improvement giant added the site in the city centre was too expensive to keep operating and had lost customers to retail parks and online shopping.

In a statement, Ikea said: “The store was built over seven levels, which resulted in a significant impact on the operating costs of the store and the shopping experience for customers.”

“In addition, the changing behaviour 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.”

Ikea had planned to move to the Cuerden site near Preston but pulled out in 2018.