Crowds expected for Ikea opening
Ireland's first Ikea store opens today with more than 1,000 shoppers an hour expected through its doors.
Located near Ballymun just off the M50, the country’s largest retail outlet will start trading at 11am after a traditional log cutting ceremony outside its main door.
Dublin store manager Garry Deakin has said there will be no price differences from its Belfast store.
Mr Deakin also rejected claims motorists will face traffic chaos when it opens, even though the upgrading of the Ballymun interchange – one of the many conditions required under the planning permission – will not be complete until October.
Gardaí, Fingal County Council and Ikea will implement a traffic management plan to deal with the large number of vehicles expected in the first week.
It will also be served by Dublin Bus routes from the city centre.
Although car parks will not open until 10am daily, the store has been given permission to allow keen shoppers a parking spot from 7am for today only.
Entertainment will start an hour later.
When Ikea’s Belfast store opened in December 2007 some 2,500 people visited during its first hour of business.
Hundreds of shoppers also flocked from the Republic each week.
Around 500 people will be employed at the Dublin store, which is over 31,800 square metres in size and boasts 9,000 home furnishings, a 550-seater restaurant, food hall and creche.
It is expected to attract some 2.75 million visitors in its first year.
