Ikea Boss Backs Calls to Pedestrianise Oxford Street as Flagship Store Opens in London
The UK boss of Ikea, Peter Jekelby, has expressed his support for plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, a move that has been backed by London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan. The Swedish company’s new three-floor store, located in the former Topshop flagship store, opened on Thursday, 18 months later than planned. According to The Guardian, Jekelby believes that pedestrianising Oxford Street would be "good for the street" and "make it easier to move around".
The new Ikea store, which will employ over 100 people, is a significant investment in the area and has been hailed as a "huge vote of confidence" in London’s economy by Khan. The mayor’s plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street have been gaining momentum, with a consultation on the proposals set to close on May 2. Khan has encouraged everyone to have their say on the plans, which aim to create new jobs and increase footfall in the area.
In an interview with The Guardian, Jekelby highlighted Ikea’s commitment to opening more outlets in the UK, with plans for a major new site in Brighton this summer and smaller outlets in Norwich, Chester, and Harlow in Essex. The company is focused on affordability and believes it can thrive even in a time of "thinner wallets". However, Jekelby also called on the UK government to foster stability in the market and not to overwhelm retailers with additional costs, such as the recent increase in employer national insurance charges.
Jekelby also criticised the current business rates system, which he believes needs a rethink to make it "more fit for purpose". He argued that the current system penalises retailers who operate physical stores, compared to those who operate solely online. The new Ikea store will display around 6,000 products, ranging from "Billy" bookcases to drinking glasses, with around 3,500 items available to take away on the spot.
The Oxford Street outlet is a significant investment in the area and features a range of innovative features, including a 130-seat Swedish deli, a live events space, and one-to-one design services for kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms. The store’s design aims to showcase Ikea’s range of furnishings, with mini-room sets and huge animated displays of woodland scenes and Londoners talking about their home design choices.
The opening of the Ikea store is seen as a key moment in the revival of Oxford Street, which has been gradually rejuvenated since the Covid pandemic. The street has seen a drop in vacancies and candy shops, with new openings such as HMV and Under Armour boosting the area. The seven-storey former Topshop building is also home to Nike Town and an outlet for beauty specialist Space NK, as well as office space.
According to The Guardian, the Ikea store’s opening is a significant boost to the area, with Khan stating that it is a "huge vote of confidence" in London’s economy. Jekelby’s support for pedestrianising Oxford Street is a welcome endorsement for the mayor’s plans, which aim to create a more vibrant and people-friendly shopping destination.
As reported by The Guardian, the Ikea store’s design and features aim to create a unique shopping experience, with a focus on affordability and sustainability. The store’s commitment to showcasing Ikea’s range of furnishings and home design services is set to make it a must-visit destination for shoppers in London.
The plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street have been gaining momentum, with a consultation on the proposals set to close on May 2. As The Guardian previously reported, Khan has encouraged everyone to have their say on the plans, which aim to create new jobs and increase footfall in the area. With Ikea’s support, the plans are likely to gain even more traction, and it will be interesting to see how the area develops in the coming months.
Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
[Image: The exterior of the new Ikea store on the former Topshop site]
[Image: The store will display about 6,000 products]
