IKEA creates 500 jobs with first London store in 14 years

IKEA has created 500 jobs with a new sustainability-focused store in Greenwich.

Located at Millennium Way Retail Park, the 345,000 sq ft retail complex is the 22nd full-sized IKEA in the UK and the company’s first London location in 14 years.

It features a Learning Lab, which serves as a space for customers and IKEA partners to explore prolonging the life of products, upcycling, cutting waste and growing their own food.

IKEA said the store also incorporates renewable construction materials and green tech such as LED lighting, solar panels, rainwater harvesting and geothermal heating.

IKEA Greenwich opened its doors to customers on Thursday (February 7).

Store Manager Helen Aylett said: “We’re thrilled to open the doors to our new store in Greenwich.

“IKEA Greenwich aims to take sustainability to the next level, not just in its design and architecture, but by inspiring and enabling Londoners to live a more sustainable life at home through our products, workshops and activities.”

She added: “The store has been built with the local community in mind and provides a number of flexible spaces and facilities which people can use for free, such as a roof pavilion and community garden.”