No, IKEA is not exactly a secret, we’ll grant you that. But since Manchester is pretty wild for Billy bookcases and Huvudroll (or more better known as their infamous meatballs), we thought it only right to update you with their exciting new opening in Stockport. Bringing home furnishings to the south of Greater Manchester, the new IKEA location in Stockport, which is now open, means schlepping east to Ashton-under-Lyne or west to Warrington for all your kitchen and bedroom needs could be a thing of the past.
The first IKEA store in the UK opened in Warrington 30 years ago and was later followed by a store in Ashton-under-Lyne, but this winter and spring will see IKEA make its mark in another three North West locations. IKEA announced its expansion plan for the North West of England in Autumn 2022, starting with three new Plan & Order Points located in Stockport, as well as Aintree (which opened in December) and Preston, and an expanded service offering.
As a complement to the bigger IKEA stores, the Plan & 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 IKEA Plan & Order Point in Stockport is situated in the Merseyway Shopping Centre and spans over 71 sqm / 764 sqft, showcasing around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions as well as having a consultation area.
Despite being smaller than a standard IKEA store, it is packed with information, samples, tools and specialist knowledge needed to plan a kitchen or bedroom storage solution (and you’re less likely to get lost around this one). There will be no products to take away or food for sale on site, so you’ll still need to go to Ashton-under-Lyne for your meatball fix.
The new store has been carefully designed based on insights around how people in Greater Manchester want their dream kitchens to be brought to life. People in the area show a preference for kitchens in traditional styles, often in a L-shape.
A popular choice in the area is raised centre panel doors paired with wood veneer worktops. For those opting for a modern style kitchen, they often select a sleek, high gloss white front with a minimalist look. Lately IKEA have seen people choosing more bold yet contemporary colours, such as the AXSTAD blue door.
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.
IKEA Plan & Order Point, Mersey Way Shopping Centre, Unit 82, Great Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1PD.