Doomed city centre Ikea store ‘was in wrong place’
IKEA is to close its Birmingham city centre store next month just two years after it opened. The shop, known as Ikea Order and Collection Point (OCP), opened in August 2016 as part of a test programme by the Swedish furniture brand to trial new retail formats.
But it has announced the shop in Dale End will now close on August 9 because of “a number of factors” which included its location.
The store is in the Martineau Galleries complex around Dale End which is earmarked for massive redevelopment as part of a future masterplan.
The unit was previously a Toys R Us store but had been vacant for a decade before Ikea moved in. The move puts 39 jobs at risk. Customers can continue to order items at the Birmingham shop until August 9 for home delivery only.
Julie Carr, Ikea’s OCP customer experience manager, said: “Following a very careful evaluation, we have taken the decision to close the Ikea Birmingham store.
“The closure of the Birmingham unit has not been an easy decision but is based on a number of factors including the location of the shop, which we recognise has not been accessible enough to customers shopping in Birmingham city centre.
“Along with the other OCPs, Birmingham has been crucial in devel- oping our recently unveiled city centre approach and has provided valuable insights on how customers want to shop with us.”
Martineau Galleries is owned by property group Hammerson, the firm which also runs the Bullring and Grand Central shopping centres in the city centre.
A spokesman said: “Ikea’s decision to trial one of its new retail formats in Birmingham city centre was a great opportunity, especially as they were only taking space in five cities across UK and Ireland.
“We work closely with both established and emerging retailers to provide them with space to test concepts and engage with customers on a temporary and longer term basis.
“We are working with Birmingham City Council on a masterplan for Martineau Galleries and will bring it forward over the coming months.”