IKEA has revealed more details about the new site that is coming to Preston.

A Plan and Order Point is set to open at the end of July at Preston’s Deepdale Retail Park.

The site, which is smaller than traditional IKEA stores, will provide free, one-to-one consultations with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom planners.

It will have a click and collect facility, where customers will be able to order any item from IKEA and collect it free of charge.

The initiative comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to make it easier and more accessible to shop with IKEA.

The North West is a key region for IKEA. The first IKEA store in the UK opened in Warrington 30 years ago and was later followed by a store in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Now, the retailer takes the next step to strengthen its physical presence in the region with Plan and Order Points  also set to open in Aintree and Stockport.

As a complement to the bigger IKEA stores, the Plan and Order Points will provide customers with a free, bespoke design consultation with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts. The focus will be on bespoke kitchen and wardrobe designs, although customers will be able to get help planning any room in their home.

The units, located in retail parks and shopping centres, will be sized between 70–90 sqm, showcase around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions as well as having a consultation area.

Although much smaller than a standard IKEA store, the units will be packed with information, samples, tools and specialist knowledge needed to plan a kitchen or bedroom storage solution.

There will be no products to take away or food for sale on site. Instead, customer orders will be transported to the customer’s home, or made available for collection to another convenient point of delivery.

Marsha Smith, deputy country retail manager for IKEA UK and Ireland, said: “Our investment in the north west is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, making it easier for our customers to shop with using a number of convenient ways.

“With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.

“Our expert co-workers will be available to help the customers to plan affordable kitchens or bedroom – helping our customers to create a better everyday life at home.”