Ikea to open new city centre store today where iconic retailer used to be

Ikea is set to open the doors to its new store in Brighton in a move which is bringing more than 150 jobs to the city.

The new branch - its first in Sussex - opens today, replacing a former Debenhams unit, with about 6,700 sqm of retail space across two floors.

Churchill Square manager Mark Buchanan-Smith said he was "super excited" and it was "brilliant" to have Ikea as its "main anchor". However, one local shopkeeper has spoken of her trepidation at the arrival of the Swedish retail giant. This comes afterUK households issued warning if they have Nescafé coffee in kitchen.

Martha Tiffin, who co-owns and runs the nearby independent houseware shop, Utility, said: "Obviously, we cannot compete on price - if we can survive this, we can survive anything".

The comment relays shopkeeper'scurrent struggle to remain openon the high street, competing against retail giants, "with many consumers opting for online purchasing, leaving retailers to fork out for higher rental, as well as wage and energy costs," reports the Mirror.

Ikea's parent company, Ingka, bought Churchill Square shopping centre for an estimated £145m in November, 2023. The new shop is smaller than many Ikea sites so certain furniture items will be delivered or available for click and collect.

This follows a previous plan for a full-size shop in Lancing, which was axed in 2021, the company blaming changing customer habits.

READ MORE: HMRC rule change means certain Brits could be pursued for £1,350

READ MORE: All jobs eligible for a Blue Light Card with hundreds of discounts across UK

Mr Buchanan-Smith said those wishing to go to Ikea have previously had to travel to Southampton or East Croydon. Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, previously said the opening of the new shop was a "real vote of confidence" in the city, bringing new jobs and investment into the local economy.

Minutes away in the North Laines, George Diplocks, who runs the consignment shop Diplock's Yard, said the new Ikea "won't make a difference" to his business. "Small businesses are going under anyway," he said, adding the proliferation of cafes and restaurants around his business meant people were not coming to the area to shop.

Meanwhile, Ikea Manager Karina Gilpin, said the new store would have "everything you need for the home under one roof" as well as food to eat in or take away.

"We're a Swedish company so to be able to share with Brightonians Swedish meatballs and the dime cake, it's very important for us," she added.