IKEA'S £35 million Coventry city centre store will open a week before Christmas. The seven-storey building, in Queen Victoria Road, will open its doors to the public on Sunday, December 16. Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the Swedish home furnishings giant's first city centre store on its opening day. Extra police are expected to be on patrol to control the crowds and hundreds of cars which are expected to create major tailbacks. Store manager Richard Ansell said: "We are thrilled to announce the launch date of Ikea Coventry. Naturally many local people have been watching and following the construction of the store and have been eager to hear when we are opening. "We are especially pleased to be able to open before Christmas." The development is set to provide 550 jobs. As well as a showroom, market-hall departments and 50 room settings, the new store will include a 455-seater restaurant and a free play area for children. Cllr Kevin Foster, (Con, Cheylesmore) cabinet member for city development, said he was delighted with the news. "We are obviously pleased that it will be opening before Christmas as this will help improve what's on offer in the city for Christmas shoppers. We are hoping Ikea will bring more people into the city centre who will not only buy things from Ikea but the rest of the shops in the centre as well. "We are working with CV One to promote the city and now we've got an opening date we can really start bringing together other issues like sensible Christmas parking." He said roadworks outside the store would be finished in time for the grand opening. "The full works, including the vehicle management signage, are due to finish in November. It is on track to be completed in time for the shop opening," he said. "This is good news for the city. It will be an exciting Christmas." Cllr Foster said he was also pleased to hear the store had employed six young people with learning difficulties who currently attend a council-run scheme. | 
