Ikea set to unveil Sheffield site for store

The Swedish retail giant is believed to have found a site close to the Meadowhall shopping centre.

The development follows many months of speculation.

A spokesman for the company said last night: “Ikea has been identifying sites around the country for potential stores including Sheffield.

“However, we have nothing to confirm at this point in time.”

The move into Sheffield would be a significant coup for the city region and represent a vote of confidence in the Yorkshire retail market.

But the furniture group would need to soothe fears about any potentially negative impact on the city centre.

A spokesman for Sheffield City Council said: “Nothing has changed as far as we are concerned.

“We are aware Ikea are interested in a site in Sheffield but nothing has changed in as much as they have put nothing formal to us and nothing is in the pipeline.”

He added: “Once we do get something from them, we will start the process to show how it fits with the transport strategy and obviously fully consult with local people.”

Sheffield city centre was to have been transformed by the Sevenstone retail regeneration scheme.

But developer Hammerson has put the project on ice due to the downturn. It has submitted revised planning applications.