Reading IKEA Approved

5 April 2012, 09:30 | Updated: 5 April 2012, 11:20

Heart's been told 400 jobs will be created thanks to a new IKEA store in Calcot.

Planning permission was given by West Berkshire Council at a meeting last night.

Derelict and rundown retail and leisure units at Pincent's Lane Retail Park in Calcot will be redeveloped.

Carole Reddish, Acting Country Manager for IKEA UK said:

"We are absolutely delighted that West Berkshire Council has supported our decision to come to Calcot. It recognises the significant contribution an IKEA store will bring to the local economy and jobs market in West Berkshire and Reading. We considered the various comments raised by local residents to ensure that the final store design met the needs of both IKEA and the surrounding community. We look forward to continuing working closely with the people of Calcot to develop our store.

As well as the store, there will be a multi deck parking area with 1,259 parking spaces as well as bus and coach parking areas.
 
The development create up to 1500 construction jobs and 400 roles when the store is ready to open.

IKEA has already said it'll invest £5m to improve the surrounding roads after people living in Calcot aired concerns about the impact it would have on traffic.