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The public are saying IKEA-JA!
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| INFORMATION OFFER: Jo Rymill of IKEA at The Bargate with the exhibition stand and the Swedish flag. Echo pictures by John Luthwaite. Order no: 4241824 |
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WE can't wait!
The people of Southampton have given a huge thumbs-up to the plans for an Ikea store in the city, some saying its arrival in the south is long overdue.
As exclusively revealed in the Daily Echo last Friday, the Swedish furniture giant's proposals to bring one of its popular stores to Southampton are back on track.
It is Ikea's third attempt to set up in Southampton. The new superstore would bring 500 jobs to the city and its modern but cheap designer furniture would be expected to attract shoppers from miles around.
Exhibition
As the company gears up to lodging a planning application to build a store on the former Pirelli cable works site in West Quay Road, the proposals are being presented to the public in an exhibition.
Ikea has set up the three-day exhibition next to the Bargate and it opened to an intrigued public yesterday.
Within the first four hours, nearly 400 people had visited the exhibition to view the plans, ask questions, pick up an Ikea catalogue and complete a comment card. Steve Eyton, transport consultant for Ikea, was explaining the plans to visitors. He said: "It's been very busy so far - we have had 390 people through the door in the first few hours, and we imagine Saturday will be even busier.
"Most people seem to think it's a very good idea and have been very supportive of bringing Ikea to Southampton. So many people have been saying they have wanted an Ikea for years and have been travelling to Bristol or Croydon to get to one.
"A few people have raised questions about traffic and parking and the design, so we have been trying to explain the thought process behind it and let them know that we are working very closely with Southampton City Council."
The exhibition runs from 10am to 4pm until Saturday. To make a comment, visit www. ikea.co.uk/southampton.
9:00am Friday 12th January 2007
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CommentPosted by: rob wilson on 11:22am Fri 12 Jan 07
Good idea but Ikea should pay towards setting up a park and ride system or upgrading busses and trains etc
Good idea but Ikea should pay towards setting up a park and ride system or upgrading busses and trains etc
Posted by: BERYL on 9:32pm Fri 12 Jan 07
So Rob would cart his flat-pack wardrobe on the bus and then the train. I don't think so.
If Rob expects Ikea to pay towards park and ride then so should other traders who will benifit from people visiting ikea and their establishments
So Rob would cart his flat-pack wardrobe on the bus and then the train. I don't think so.
If Rob expects Ikea to pay towards park and ride then so should other traders who will benifit from people visiting ikea and their establishments
Posted by: Rob Wilson on 11:18pm Fri 12 Jan 07
the park and ride should be encouraged for all shoppers. i know ikea shoppers will have lots of bulky bits but still should contribute
section 25 of planning or what ever they call it to contribute towards the negative affects of the store.
the park and ride should be encouraged for all shoppers. i know ikea shoppers will have lots of bulky bits but still should contribute
section 25 of planning or what ever they call it to contribute towards the negative affects of the store.
Posted by: Rob Wilson on 11:21pm Fri 12 Jan 07
might have been a section 5 i think.
cant remember now
might have been a section 5 i think.
cant remember now
Posted by: caren on 2:32pm Sat 13 Jan 07
Build Ikea in Stoneham lane.I would love the extra traffic and a good shop more then the stupid idea of gipsey site.More cars verse More trouble I think all the neighbours would rather have the cars,I know I would
Build Ikea in Stoneham lane.I would love the extra traffic and a good shop more then the stupid idea of gipsey site.More cars verse More trouble I think all the neighbours would rather have the cars,I know I would
Posted by: caren on 2:45pm Sat 13 Jan 07
Yes IKea would be good, but please change sites with the gipsey site.(stoneham lane)I would rather have the extra traffic than all the extra trouble, It would be easy to get to. use the Motorway,takes pressure of the stupid roads in town.move the gipseys to Ikea proposed site then the police are only over the road cos there be spending lots of time at the site
Yes IKea would be good, but please change sites with the gipsey site.(stoneham lane)I would rather have the extra traffic than all the extra trouble, It would be easy to get to. use the Motorway,takes pressure of the stupid roads in town.move the gipseys to Ikea proposed site then the police are only over the road cos there be spending lots of time at the site
Posted by: Alice Ventris on 5:05pm Sat 13 Jan 07
IKEA should go to Stoneham Lane rather than the Pirelli site.
No-one will use a park & ride having bought all the flat packed stuff...and it has been difficult enough getting "contributors" to assist Red Funnel/Soton CC with the much needed free bus from Town Quay into the City Centre and station!
IKEA should go to Stoneham Lane rather than the Pirelli site.
No-one will use a park & ride having bought all the flat packed stuff...and it has been difficult enough getting "contributors" to assist Red Funnel/Soton CC with the much needed free bus from Town Quay into the City Centre and station!
Posted by: dragstar on 7:36pm Sun 21 Jan 07
If the council reject these plans because of pressure from ABP, let's hope that Portsmouth doesn't lose the naval base, as we will then lose not only Ikea but also the majority of our cruise business.
If the council reject these plans because of pressure from ABP, let's hope that Portsmouth doesn't lose the naval base, as we will then lose not only Ikea but also the majority of our cruise business.
Posted by: alexandra, romsey on 3:15pm Fri 2 Feb 07
cannot wait for ikea to open in southampton a daily visitor i will be as i work very close to proposed site!
cannot wait for ikea to open in southampton a daily visitor i will be as i work very close to proposed site!
Posted by: denise williams, salisbury on 9:10am Wed 14 Feb 07
at last! there are so many people in salisbury who have to travel to london or bristol to visit ikea, it will be a great relief, especially if you have to return something!!
at last! there are so many people in salisbury who have to travel to london or bristol to visit ikea, it will be a great relief, especially if you have to return something!!
Posted by: susan, Basingstoke on 4:34pm Mon 9 Apr 07
Can't wait for Ikea to open in Southampton, currently go to Bristol but Soton much more convenient and would probably visit more often as much closer!
Can't wait for Ikea to open in Southampton, currently go to Bristol but Soton much more convenient and would probably visit more often as much closer!
Posted by: Carl Lawrence, Ringwood on 5:00pm Thu 2 Aug 07
We've used Ikea for years and have moved further and further away from their London locations over the years. We still visit regularly despite the 2 hour journey, so it will be "a blessing" to have their meatballs closer to hand!
We've used Ikea for years and have moved further and further away from their London locations over the years. We still visit regularly despite the 2 hour journey, so it will be "a blessing" to have their meatballs closer to hand!
Posted by: JJD, soton on 2:23pm Thu 6 Sep 07
An IKEA in Southampton?
Yes please!!! xx
An IKEA in Southampton?
Yes please!!! xx
Posted by: Rachel Jenkins, Fareham on 6:07pm Sun 9 Sep 07
Can't wait for Ikea asap and anything nearby is better than schlepping to Croydon or Bristol. Pity it'll take so long to build.
Can't wait for Ikea asap and anything nearby is better than schlepping to Croydon or Bristol. Pity it'll take so long to build.
Posted by: Dave, Hamble on 2:24pm Thu 1 Nov 07
Can't wait to see Ikea open in Southampton if only to say I told you so to Deborah :-)
Can't wait to see Ikea open in Southampton if only to say I told you so to Deborah :-)
Posted by: Ali Houghton, Hayling Island on 8:40am Wed 7 Nov 07
Great News, I heard it has been approved, all I want to know now is when does it open, I cant wait, our flat is IKEA :o)
Great News, I heard it has been approved, all I want to know now is when does it open, I cant wait, our flat is IKEA :o)
Posted by: Paul Morris, Totton on 9:24am Fri 9 Nov 07
Hi People,
Please!!!! Many of us avoid Southampton City Centre as it is. Poor, inadequate and very expensive parking, over-priced shopping, shop staff with the wrong attitude, etc. The main reason for not bothering though, is the thought of fighting one's way through the appalling traffic (I've been a motorist in the area for over 25 years now and know that whatever time I dare to enter the city, the traffic is already a bit of a nightmare) and of course the myriad of interestingly-placed so-called 'safety cameras' welcoming you to Southampton don't enhance the experience.
As an occasional Ikea customer I truly appreciate the need for a store in this area, but if the proposed site is completed then I for one will accept that shopping in Southampton just won't be worth it (in more ways than one).
Paul Morris
Unimpressed Tax Payer
Hi People,
Please!!!! Many of us avoid Southampton City Centre as it is. Poor, inadequate and very expensive parking, over-priced shopping, shop staff with the wrong attitude, etc. The main reason for not bothering though, is the thought of fighting one's way through the appalling traffic (I've been a motorist in the area for over 25 years now and know that whatever time I dare to enter the city, the traffic is already a bit of a nightmare) and of course the myriad of interestingly-placed so-called 'safety cameras' welcoming you to Southampton don't enhance the experience.
As an occasional Ikea customer I truly appreciate the need for a store in this area, but if the proposed site is completed then I for one will accept that shopping in Southampton just won't be worth it (in more ways than one).
Paul Morris
Unimpressed Tax Payer
Posted by: Caroline Dudley, Hampshire on 2:57pm Mon 12 Nov 07
Yes, please - I can't wait to stop having to drive to Bristol or Croydon to get to Ikea. Build it quickly!
Yes, please - I can't wait to stop having to drive to Bristol or Croydon to get to Ikea. Build it quickly!
Posted by: H GROVES, wimborne dorset on 9:06pm Mon 12 Nov 07
great news! i drive to bristol ikea at least 4 times per year and would go to the sothampton one every couple of weeks. as a function decorator ,i use a lot of items that ikea sell at a great price plus personal items ,furniture etc. great stuff!![bold]bold[/bold]
great news! i drive to bristol ikea at least 4 times per year and would go to the sothampton one every couple of weeks. as a function decorator ,i use a lot of items that ikea sell at a great price plus personal items ,furniture etc. great stuff!!
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