Ikea's UK boss backs car-free Oxford Street with new store set to open

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.

- Sarah Butler

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".