The Swedish retailer Ikea has announced it wants to build a major outlet near Belfast, creating 400 jobs.

The firm said it intends to seek planning permission for a “major store” at the Holywood Exchange site, near Belfast City Airport.

The company said it expected a further 100 jobs would be created in outsourced services such as home delivery.

It also announced its intention to submit a planning application to build a store in Dublin’s Ballymun area.

The Belfast store will cover 25,800 sq metres over two floors, and will have approximately 1,100 car spaces.

The outlet will also incorporate a 400-seater restaurant, a bistro, a cafe and a Swedish food hall as well as a creche for young children, while their parents are shopping.

Theresa Daly, project manager for the Belfast and Dublin stores, said they expected to lodge the Belfast planning application within the coming month and open the store in late December.

Posted: 01|26|06 at 4:13 pm. Filed under: Auction News.