Try GOLD - Free
Ikea's UK boss backs car-free Oxford Street with new store set to open
The Guardian
|April 30, 2025
The UK boss of Ikea has backed calls to pedestrianise Oxford Street as the world's largest furniture retailer finally opens its delayed store in London's prime shopping destination.
The Swedish company's three-floor shop, which used to be Topshop's flagship store, offering a mix of meatballs and lampshades, opens tomorrow, 18 months later than planned.
Sitting in one of the mini room sets designed to show off Ikea's range of furnishings at the new store, Peter Jelkeby, the chief executive of Ikea's UK business, said he thought a plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street, backed by London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, would be "good for the street" and "make it easier to move around".
Khan said the Ikea store was "a huge vote of confidence in London, in our economy and in our plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street" and attracting new companies would help "create new jobs and increase footfall". He said the "bold proposals" to pedestrianise Oxford Street were subject to a consultation which closes on 2 May "so I encourage everyone to have their say".
This story is from the April 30, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'Heroic' rail worker in fight for life after tackling train knife attacker
Single suspect held over stabbings as 11 victims are treated in hospital
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
UK workforce risks loss of extra 600,000 people to poor health - study
An extra 600,000 people will leave the workforce in the next decade because of long-term health conditions unless there is \"a fundamental shift\" in how employers help maintain staff well-being, a report says.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Reeves is warned not to cut VAT on electricity bills
Proposals being considered by Rachel Reeves to cut tax on electricity bills will backfire, experts have warned, resulting in a giveaway to richer homeowners and undermining the UK's climate commitments.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Richard Gott, former Guardian journalist and historian, dies aged 87
The former Guardian journalist and historian Richard Gott has died aged 87.
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
University halted Uyghur study after China demand
A British university complied with a demand from Beijing to halt research about human rights abuses in China, leading to a major project being dropped, the Guardian can reveal.
5 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
O'Neill steers Celtic to final after 20 years away
There have been wackier weeks in the history of Celtic, but not many.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Archer and Wood offer hope amid batting woe
A calamitous lack of runs led to an ODI series whitewash in New Zealand, but pace attack show signs of encouragement
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Louvre heist was carried out by petty criminals, says prosecutor
The brazen daytime heist of the Louvre was carried out by petty criminals, rather than professionals from the world of organised crime, the Paris prosecutor has said, describing two of the suspects as a couple with children.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
'He's a force': how shapeshifting Josh O'Connor became one of cinema's most-wanted stars
He came to prominence with his portrayal of Prince Charles in The Crown, and now it seems that Josh O'Connor might be primed for his own coronation.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Guardian
Shafali and Deepti the home heroes as India make history
At last, 50 years on from their debut on the world stage, India's dream came true: a first World Cup triumph, in front of a deafening full house in Navi Mumbai, as they defeated South Africa by 52 runs.
2 mins
November 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size