It was founded with the idea of ‘providing a better everyday life for the many’ and bringing the benefits of ‘good design’ to all, so it was a delight to many homeowners when Ikea arrived in Britain in 1987.
The Swedish retailer opened the doors of its first store in Warrington, Cheshire, on October 1 of that year and beckoned in customers with a free pencil and a guide to a huge store with a most unusual layout.
Thirty years on, the chain, which now has 20 stores in Britain among its 355 outlets in 29 countries, has released a series of photographs showing its original bedroom, kitchen and bathroom showrooms at the first UK store.
The firm initially wanted to open near London, but chose the North West because it was invited by the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation to be part of its regeneration plans for the area.
In fact, nine of the employees who joined Ikea Warrington 30 years ago still work there today, including Gillian Drakeford, who is the chain’s UK country retail manager.
This week the flat pack furniture giant posted rising full year sales and revealed that it now owns more wind turbines than stores as it moves a step closer to becoming ‘energy independent’.
The Swedish retailer said group sales for the year to August grew 3.8 per cent to £30billion as 817million customers walked through its doors. Ikea also saw 2.1billion visits to its website.
It has also unveiled proposals to sell its wares on ecommerce websites such as Amazon to mitigate a decline in store visits. The group also recently acquired TaskRabbit, a startup that links freelance workers with jobs.
Customers browse the first ever Ikea store in Britain which was opened in Warrington, Cheshire, on October 1, 1987
Ikea staff stand outside the huge logo on the side of the company’s first UK store in Warrington as it opens in the 1980s
Ikea’s signature style of low-price minimalist furniture has been a hit with Britons with 20 stores now operating in the UK
A man looks at a kitchen cupboard in one of the many pre-assembled rooms that the chain is known for displaying at its stores
The store layout might have been a shock to many Britons upon entering the site in Warrington, but a guide was provided
Ikea was founded with the idea of ‘providing a better everyday life for the many’ and giving the benefits of ‘good design’ to all
A Volvo car is pictured under a sign at the Ikea store saying: ‘The 70mph kitchen – you can take this kitchen home today!’
Ikea was invited by the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation to be part of its regeneration plans for the area
Cushions are pictured on sale for £2.70 and what appear to be ironing boards in the background are available for £7.50
Ikea now has 20 stores in Britain among its 355 outlets in 29 countries, after first opening this store in Warrington in 1987
Bread bins are on sale for £7.70 along with a set of three storage pots for £3.50 in the cooking area of the Warrington store
Customers make their way through the cookery section of the store in Warrington which opened 30 years ago this month
Ikea initially wanted to open near London, but chose Warrington because it was invited by the local development corporation
Multi-compartment boxes are on sale for £3.80, while a mini chest of drawers can be bought for £5.70 in the Warrington store
Various parts of a bathroom can be seen in this tiled showroom, to give the idea of how everything might look together
The Swedish retailer said group sales for the year to August grew 3.8 per cent to £30billion – a measure of its rise since 1987
A Christmas display can be seen at the Warrington Ikea store shortly after it opened some three decades ago
… And if that wasn’t enough Ikea nostalgia for you, here are 30 years of its colourful catalogues!
