Ikea is bigger than ever (From Croydon Guardian)
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Ikea is bigger than ever
1:03pm Monday 1st May 2006 in News
Saw: Mayor Maggie Mansell joined Swedish ambassador Stefan Carlsson in sawing a log in half at Ikea
Croydon's revamped Ikea store, which is now the biggest in Britain, was officially re-launched on Monday with a traditional Swedish opening ceremony.
Mayor Maggie Mansell and Swedish ambassador Stefan Carlsson were on hand to open the new store just like they would have in Stockholm by cutting through a tree log with a saw.
The extension of Ikea, which is the fifth biggest employer in Croydon, includes the extension of the showroom, market hall and self-serve areas.
The store restaurant has also been made bigger and the 350ft landmark chimneys have been given a facelift.
In addition to the expansion of the store, which has taken three-and-a-half years to complete, a base for the local Croydon police safer neighbourhood team has been included.
Store manager Goran Nilsson said: "We want our customers to enjoy a visit to our store as much as they enjoy our products and every improvement over the past few years has been in pursuit of that goal."
