Queues form on Oxford Street this morning as Ikea opens following a three year renovation process.
Shoppers have been waiting outside from 8am this morning.
Three years after Topshop closed its doors on Oxford Street, Ikea has opened, following 18 months of delays during their renovation process.
The opening saw Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan visit the store to cut the ribbon and welcome the shoppers in. Entertainment put on for those waiting included short performances by dancers, staff dressing up in costumes and free merchandise being handed out to those lining up.
Today is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, however this didn’t prove a deterrent for many.
City News spoke to those who were attending the event to ask why they are there and the importance of an Ikea store on Oxford Street.
One individual, who had taken the morning off work in order to attend the opening, noted the food as his main point of excitement when asked what he was most looking forward to on attending.
“The food, it’s got to be the Ikea meatballs. You can’t beat them.”
Another joined the queue spontaneously after seeing the crowds waiting as he was passing by. He told City News about the importance of having an Ikea in the city centre.
“Well, basically, I just got into London earlier than expected this morning and I saw a queue! […] I don’t need to go to Wembley or travel up to Milton Keynes to buy some furniture now”.
Another man stated that he was willing to wait 30 minutes maximum in the queue and that he hoped he wouldn’t be waiting this long.
This renovation marks an ongoing effort to ‘revitalise’ Oxford Street, with an ongoing campaign by Sadiq Khan to pedestrianize the street from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus.
Oxford Street regularly sees visitors of up to 300,000 ever day. However, concerns have arisen over the last few years following various shop closures such as Debenhams and TopShop, and rise in crime reported in the area, with Met Police in 2023 reporting a doubling in crime rates in the prior two years.
Stores like Ikea are hoped to revitalise the street, along with ongoing efforts by the Mayor to secure pedestrianisation and to turn Oxford Street into a cleaner and greener space.
In order to carry out his plans, Sadiq Khan would need to assume local authority of Oxford Street from Westminster City Council. There have been mixed reactions to this, with some calling Khan’s plans for Oxford Street a bid to remove power from local councils. The public consultation for his proposal began in February and are set to close tomorrow.
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HeadlineIkea opens its doors to Europe’s busiest shopping street
Short HeadlineIkea on Oxford Street opens after 18 month delay
StandfirstSadiq Khan officially opens Ikea this morning as he continues with his efforts to 'revitalise' Oxford Street.
Queues form on Oxford Street this morning as Ikea opens following a three year renovation process.
Shoppers have been waiting outside from 8am this morning.
Three years after Topshop closed its doors on Oxford Street, Ikea has opened, following 18 months of delays during their renovation process.
The opening saw Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan visit the store to cut the ribbon and welcome the shoppers in. Entertainment put on for those waiting included short performances by dancers, staff dressing up in costumes and free merchandise being handed out to those lining up.
Today is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, however this didn’t prove a deterrent for many.
City News spoke to those who were attending the event to ask why they are there and the importance of an Ikea store on Oxford Street.
One individual, who had taken the morning off work in order to attend the opening, noted the food as his main point of excitement when asked what he was most looking forward to on attending.
“The food, it’s got to be the Ikea meatballs. You can’t beat them.”
Another joined the queue spontaneously after seeing the crowds waiting as he was passing by. He told City News about the importance of having an Ikea in the city centre.
“Well, basically, I just got into London earlier than expected this morning and I saw a queue! […] I don’t need to go to Wembley or travel up to Milton Keynes to buy some furniture now”.
Another man stated that he was willing to wait 30 minutes maximum in the queue and that he hoped he wouldn’t be waiting this long.
This renovation marks an ongoing effort to ‘revitalise’ Oxford Street, with an ongoing campaign by Sadiq Khan to pedestrianize the street from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus.
Oxford Street regularly sees visitors of up to 300,000 ever day. However, concerns have arisen over the last few years following various shop closures such as Debenhams and TopShop, and rise in crime reported in the area, with Met Police in 2023 reporting a doubling in crime rates in the prior two years.
Stores like Ikea are hoped to revitalise the street, along with ongoing efforts by the Mayor to secure pedestrianisation and to turn Oxford Street into a cleaner and greener space.
In order to carry out his plans, Sadiq Khan would need to assume local authority of Oxford Street from Westminster City Council. There have been mixed reactions to this, with some calling Khan’s plans for Oxford Street a bid to remove power from local councils. The public consultation for his proposal began in February and are set to close tomorrow.
