Ikea’s plans to extend Wednesbury store

SWEDISH furniture giant Ikea is hoping to extend its store in Wednesbury.

The company has submitted a planning application to Walsall Council to expand its warehouse to the east of the existing store by around 8,200 sq ft, up from 72,000 sq ft.

If approved, the project could cost up to £10m and create up to 40 new jobs.

In its application, Ikea says there is a need to grow the shop at junction 9 of the M6 because it “has struggled in recent years with a significant lack of floor space in many of the major areas”.

The proposed extension would include an enhanced lobby area, improved toilet facilities and a hike in restaurant seats from 250 to 470.

The company adds: “This is an older store, and hence is substantially smaller than newer and comparative stores in similar locations.

“There is also a need to improve, enhance and upgrade the retail floor area and provide increased stock levels.

“This store has had virtually no alteration to its trading format (apart from a mezzanine expansion) since it opened in 1991.

“As such, customer facilities and service levels lag behind other Ikea stores. By Ikea’s standards, the store is currently 25% undersized.”