IKEA opened a new site in Preston this week and released some pictures of the grand opening.
An IKEA Plan and Order Point opened at the Deepdale Trade Park, which is part of Deepdale Shopping Park, on Monday, July 24.
It is located at unit M1, which was formerly Toolstation.
At the time of writing, it is the only IKEA site in Lancashire, excluding the IKEA pick up point at Tesco on Hill Street in Blackburn.
The Plan and Order Point is a smaller store dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning, which customers can visit for home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal space.
The launch marks the third opening of this format in the North West, following its introduction in Aintree last December and Stockport in March.
This comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to become more accessible for customers shopping with IKEA across the region.
The Preston site spans over 120 sqm/ 1,300 sqft. It will also house a click and collect space, meaning that customers can order any IKEA product, either online or with help of co-workers in the Plan and Order Point, and pick it up from the unit, free of charge.
Customers will find a selection of different kitchens to browse, such as a complete kitchen, including oven and hob, for £1,200.
IKEA will showcase all of its kitchen fronts, worktops and a variety of appliances from the wider range. There is also a space dedicated to the PAX wardrobe system, with doors, interior organisers, and knobs and handles to help customers build their dream storage solution.
Michael Parker, area manager at IKEA UK, said: “Today, we start our journey to be much closer to the people in Lancashire. At the new IKEA Preston Plan & Order Point, customers can get kitchen inspiration and expert advice as well as the possibility to click and collect anything from the full IKEA range.
“In a year when IKEA celebrates its 80th birthday, the North West is extra special to us, being home to our first UK store in Warrington.
“With Plan and Order points in Aintree, Stockport and now Preston, our existing full size stores in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne and Warrington, collection points, home planning and remote and digital services, we are enabling an IKEA where customers can shop in the most convenient way for them.”
The new store has been carefully designed based on insights around how customers in Preston want their dream kitchens brought to life.
People in the area have shown a preference for kitchens in traditional styles, often in a u-shape.
White is the most popular colour, and those opting for a modern style kitchen, often select a sleek, high gloss white front.
Customers can book an appointment, free of charge, to start their design journey with one of IKEA’s planning specialists or use the handy in-store self-service tools to design their own solution.
Co-workers will also 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.
Sir Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston, said: “I am thrilled that IKEA’s new Plan & Order Point has opened here today in Preston. This represents the latest investment in our great community which I am confident will continue to create more opportunity. It is great to see IKEA providing good quality jobs across the North West of England.”
The Plan and Order Point in Preston follows the opening of a Plan and Order Point in Aintree, Liverpool in December, and Stockport, Greater Manchester, the first of their kind in the UK.
The Preston site is open from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday.
On Saturday it is open from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday the opening hours are 10.30am to 4.30pm.
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