All ready to go at IKEA

IKEA is making preparations to its Calcot site as it awaits formal approval of its plans from West Berkshire Council.

Branded fences have been put up around part of the 140,000 sq ft site at Berkshire Retail Park, close to junction 12 of the M4 at Theale.

Senior project manager for IKEA UK and Ireland, Roger Cooper, said: “As we await final approvals on our plans for the IKEA Reading store from West Berkshire Council, we are taking steps to set up and prepare the site for the store build.

“Over the coming weeks, RG Group, our construction management company, will install a small site set-up for contractors and complete the final site preparation steps.

“As soon as we receive final approvals from the council we will provide further information such as key construction dates for the store build.”

Late last year, the Swedish firm, famous for its flat-packed furniture, submitted revised plans proposing a smaller store, reducing the height by eight metres and its footprint from 40,000 sq m to 32,000 sq m.

If approved, a multi-storey car park, café, creche and bus station will be built at the site.