Menu
10/12/2007
Cops Hosted In Spain For Ikea's Local Launch
Amidst the retailing frenzy that is Christmas, the island of Ireland's first ever Ikea store - at Holywood Exchange near east Belfast - is due to add further to the spending tumult later this week – and it has already provoked controversy.
While the stage is set for Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers to chop the inaugural Swedish Log - an Ikea tradition - to declare the flagship store open at 10am on Thursday, the PSNI has been forced to defend its decision to allow three officers to travel to Spain to attend the opening of an Ikea store.
It has emerged that the spent three days in Malaga in October ahead of the opening of the Swedish furniture company's largest UK store in east Belfast.
A police spokeswoman said the trip allowed the officers to "gain an insight into the opening of a similar sized Ikea store".
"The three officers have been involved in the planning operation for the opening of an Ikea store in Belfast and travelled to Spain at the specific request of the store," said the PSNI.
The trip, believed to be at Ikea's expense was to allow the to liaise with experienced Ikea staff on their procedures, planning and management of the opening of a similar sized store in Malaga.
It is anticipated that dozens of officers as well as a PSNI helicopter will be deployed during the opening of the 29,000sq metre store.
A company spokeswoman said: "The Belfast store has the largest selling space that any other in the UK, and we expect a busy, busy pre-Christmas period."
The statistics are mind-boggling; a building that covers 29,000 square metres - equivalent to six football pitches - with 50 showrooms, a market hall, warehouse, 565-seat restaurant, crèche and ancillary services.
"There are 1,600 car parking spaces - 2,000 during the opening period - and we sell a range of almost 10,000 items. It's quite a store," said the spokeswoman. "Oh, and we will employ 400 people, full-time and part-time."
Ikea has been in talks with Roads Services and PSNI in a bid to prevent traffic snarl-ups, especially in the initial period.
(BMcC)
While the stage is set for Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers to chop the inaugural Swedish Log - an Ikea tradition - to declare the flagship store open at 10am on Thursday, the PSNI has been forced to defend its decision to allow three officers to travel to Spain to attend the opening of an Ikea store.
It has emerged that the spent three days in Malaga in October ahead of the opening of the Swedish furniture company's largest UK store in east Belfast.
A police spokeswoman said the trip allowed the officers to "gain an insight into the opening of a similar sized Ikea store".
"The three officers have been involved in the planning operation for the opening of an Ikea store in Belfast and travelled to Spain at the specific request of the store," said the PSNI.
The trip, believed to be at Ikea's expense was to allow the to liaise with experienced Ikea staff on their procedures, planning and management of the opening of a similar sized store in Malaga.
It is anticipated that dozens of officers as well as a PSNI helicopter will be deployed during the opening of the 29,000sq metre store.
A company spokeswoman said: "The Belfast store has the largest selling space that any other in the UK, and we expect a busy, busy pre-Christmas period."
The statistics are mind-boggling; a building that covers 29,000 square metres - equivalent to six football pitches - with 50 showrooms, a market hall, warehouse, 565-seat restaurant, crèche and ancillary services.
"There are 1,600 car parking spaces - 2,000 during the opening period - and we sell a range of almost 10,000 items. It's quite a store," said the spokeswoman. "Oh, and we will employ 400 people, full-time and part-time."
Ikea has been in talks with Roads Services and PSNI in a bid to prevent traffic snarl-ups, especially in the initial period.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 April 2009
'Ikea Five' Remanded On Drugs Charges
Two Dublin residents are among the five men charged with having cannabis worth £700,000 at east Belfast's Ikea store. Lester Keating, 40, of Cornduff Road, Blanchardstown and Paul Bennett, 21, from Ashwood Drive, Clondalkin, appeared in court in Belfast today.
'Ikea Five' Remanded On Drugs Charges
Two Dublin residents are among the five men charged with having cannabis worth £700,000 at east Belfast's Ikea store. Lester Keating, 40, of Cornduff Road, Blanchardstown and Paul Bennett, 21, from Ashwood Drive, Clondalkin, appeared in court in Belfast today.
17 August 2007
IKEA's Belfast Store To Open In December
Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA, has confirmed that its Belfast store will open this year. The store, at Holywood Exchange in east Belfast, will be the Swedish retailer's first shop on the island of Ireland and will open its doors to the public on 13 December. The store on the outskirts of east Belfast is 29,000sq.
IKEA's Belfast Store To Open In December
Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA, has confirmed that its Belfast store will open this year. The store, at Holywood Exchange in east Belfast, will be the Swedish retailer's first shop on the island of Ireland and will open its doors to the public on 13 December. The store on the outskirts of east Belfast is 29,000sq.
26 May 2006
Ikea propose larger Belfast store
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has applied for more space on which to build their new planned store just outside Belfast. An additional 3,200 sq metres has been added onto the original size of the land requested by the company.
Ikea propose larger Belfast store
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has applied for more space on which to build their new planned store just outside Belfast. An additional 3,200 sq metres has been added onto the original size of the land requested by the company.
20 September 2022
Lidl NI Open New Look Expanded East Belfast Store
Lidl Northern Ireland has opened a new look store on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast following the completion of a major six-month relocation project.
Lidl NI Open New Look Expanded East Belfast Store
Lidl Northern Ireland has opened a new look store on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast following the completion of a major six-month relocation project.
26 January 2007
Work begins on new Ikea store
Work has today begun on the first Ikea store to be built in Ireland. The new Swedish furniture store will be located at the Holywood Exchange, just outside of east Belfast, and will bring approximately 500 new jobs to the area. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Pat McCarthy, cut the first sod on the site earlier today.
Work begins on new Ikea store
Work has today begun on the first Ikea store to be built in Ireland. The new Swedish furniture store will be located at the Holywood Exchange, just outside of east Belfast, and will bring approximately 500 new jobs to the area. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Pat McCarthy, cut the first sod on the site earlier today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
