Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has announced the opening of its new Plan & Order Point store in Stockport.

The Plan & Order Point is situated in the Merseyway Shopping Centre and spans over 764sqft, and is a smaller store dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning.

The opening comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to become more accessible and sustainable for customers shopping with IKEA in the North West of England.

Michael Parker, Area Manager, IKEA UK, said: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, continuing to make it easier for people to enjoy what IKEA offers using a variety of convenient ways. The North West is a key region for us, being home to over seven million people, and also being the place that IKEA first opened a UK store, 35 years ago in Warrington.

“This new Plan and Order Point, along with one already open in Aintree, Merseyside, and another soon to open in Preston, will allow customers to get inspiration and expert advice in convenient locations closer to where they live. Together with our existing stores in Ashton-under-Lyne and Warrington, remote planning and different delivery and collection services, we’re enabling an IKEA that’s there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”

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. Co-workers will also be on hand to help customers order products from the full IKEA range, for delivery direct to the customer’s home or nearest collection point.

Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council, said: “Whilst many high streets are in decline, businesses are seeing Stockport as a place that is growing and expanding, and a great place to be. That sort of recognition is something of an endorsement especially from an organisation of IKEA’s calibre and reputation. Our ambitious £1bn regeneration programme is attracting a diverse mix of businesses to the Town and they will be followed by a wide range of customers who have increasing reasons to visit Stockport.”

The Plan & Order Point in Stockport follows the opening of a Plan & Order Point in Aintree, Liverpool in December, with plans to open a Third in the Preston area, coming later in 2023.