Sign up for our Exeter newsletter and you'll never miss a big story again Keep me updated Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The opening of Exeter's brand new IKEA store is fast approaching and in the lead up to the big day we will be bringing you everything you need to know - including opening times, the restaurant menu, how to get there and a site map.

The super spännande store will feature inspirational room sets, a crèche, restaurant, bistro, a Changing Places toilet facility and car park with over 1,000 spaces.

But what is it? Where is it? What events will they be holding? What are the opening times? And how do you get there?

(Image: Abbie Bray)

Here is everything you need to know about the opening of IKEA

Opening hours

The store opens on Thursday, May 10 at 10am

Store Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 - 20:00

Tuesday 10:00 - 20:00

Wednesday 10:00 - 20:00

Thursday 10:00 - 20:00

Friday 10:00 - 20:00

Saturday 10:00 - 20:00

Sunday 11:00 - 17:00

(Image: Bridget Batchelor Photography)

Restaurant Opening Hours

Monday 9:30 - 20:00

Tuesday 9.30 - 20.00

Wednesday 9.30 - 20.00

Thursday 9.30 - 20.00

Friday 9.30 - 20.00

Saturday 9.30 - 20.00

Sunday 10.30 - 17:00

Crèche supervised play area

Monday - Friday 10:00 - 18:15

(last admission at 17:45)

Saturday 9:00 - 18:30

(last admissions at 18:15)

Sunday 11:00 - 16:45

(last admission at 16:15)

(Image: Bridget Batchelor Photography)

Where in Exeter is it?

The branch is situated in the South Eastern area of Exeter, roughly four miles from the centre of the city.

The main entrances are off Newcourt Way, and the A379 on the opposite side Tesco Vale. The 'big blue box' sits opposite the Newcourt homes development to the East of Topsham Road.

How do I get there?

By Car

The main access to Ikea Exeter will be from the A379/Russell Way using part of the existing slip road that is being transformed into its eye-catching entrance adorned with a row of flagpoles.

The A379 is easily accessible from the M5 from Sandygate roundabout.

There will be more than one thousand parking spaces with 44 for disabled use and 30 parent and child spaces.

There will be 10 motorcycle bays. IKEA Exeter will also provide six electric vehicle charging points.

By Train

The branch is around a five minute walk from Newcourt train station.

From Liberty Way you reach and River Plate Road and continue up it until it joins Newcourt Way and, soon after, the side entrance of the store.

Newcourt is on the Exeter to Exmouth avocet line, and trains can be caught from Exeter Central and Exeter St David's.

By bike and foot

The main pedestrian and cycle is a 4.5m wide, separate walkway on the northern side of the Newcourt Way access road.

There will also be a 3m wide shared footpath on the other side of the road. Alongside these entrances, a pedestrian link will also be created from the Barratt Homes development to the south.

In total, 50 bicycle spaces are provided - with more created if there's

By Bus

The Stagecoach J bus runs regularly between Whipton, Exeter City Centre and Digby.

You can catch it on Exeter High Street and the bus station.

The bus stop's closest to IKEA are on River Plate Road and Newcourt Way, near the pedestrian entrance to Ikea.

There has also been talk of a direct city centre to Ikea bus route. However, this service has not yet been confirmed by Devon County Council, Ikea or Stagecoach.

What is on the restaurant menu?

Six items breakfast - £2.50

Breakfast roll - £1

Kids breakfast - £1.50

10 Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam - £4.25

Rare roast beef - £2.25

Beetroot, brie and butternut squash tart - £3.95

Fish and chips - £4.50

Pulled salmon sandwich - £2.95

Moroccan chicken - £4.50

Kids meatball meal - £2.10

Kids fish and chips - £1.95

Kids jelly - 60p

Cafe latte or cappuccino - 50p

Cinnamon bun - 60p

Daim cake - £1.85

Apple cake - £1.55

Hot dog and soft drink - £1.25

Tea or black coffee with two doughnuts - £1.60

Four cinnamon buns - £1.50

Ice cream - 50p

Frozen yoghurt - 75p

Milkshake - £1

Pick and mix sweets 85p per 0.1kg

What is happening in the run up to the opening?

The chain renowned for their flat-packed furniture will be bringing a grand opening tour across Devon which they have called the 'Wonderful Everyday Tour'.

From Friday 13 April to Thursday 10 May 2018, ten unique mini-events and installations will be popping up in and around Exeter, bringing IKEA’s philosophy of the “Wonderful Everyday” to life, and giving Devon residents a preview of what’s to come when the new store opens.

The “Wonderful Everyday Tour” will run for four weeks prior to the store opening which will take place on May 10, and has been designed to surprise and delight the people of Devon.

Hot Dog Cart

When: Saturday 21 April (Paignton), Saturday 5 May (Torquay) and Wednesday 9 May 2018 (Exmouth), 11.30am - 3pm

Where: Paignton, Torquay and Exmouth

What: IKEA is bringing everyone’s favourite IKEA treat to Paignton, Torquay and Exmouth. Smother them in ketchup, mustard or both!

Quayside Kit Out

When: Sunday 22 April to Thursday 10 May 2018

Where: Exeter Quay

What: IKEA has given the quayside a little spruce up for spring. Spend your time by the river relaxing on our most stylish and cosy textiles you’ll find dotted along the banks of the Exe. And if you’re using Butts Ferry, you’ll now be able to cross in comfort.

The Glass Boat

When: Monday 23 April to Thursday 10 May 2018

Where: Princesshay Shopping Centre

What: To pay homage to Exeter’s maritime history, IKEA is working with local artist, Roop Johnstone, to create his own take on the classic River Exe Salmon Boat using over 500 pieces of IKEA glassware. The sculpture will be installed at Princesshay Shopping Centre and a donation will be made by IKEA to Exeter Street Art Festival in the summer.

Station Meditation

When: Tuesday 1 May – Thursday 10 May 2018

Where: Exeter St Davids and Central Station

What: IKEA will be providing an oasis of calm at Exeter’s busiest train stations, Exeter St Davids and Central Station, by transforming waiting rooms into chill out zones, full of lush houseplants and beautiful greenery, along with comfortable chairs, soft textiles, soothing music and great reads. For families, there will also be a kids’ colouring book using the famous Exeter Swifts to teach the Swedish philosophy of Lagom, which promotes a more sustainable, healthy and balanced lifestyle.

A Lift on Laundry Day

When: Saturday 5 May 2018

Where: Kenjo Laundrette and Dry Cleaners, 139 Sidwell St, Exeter EX4 6RT

What: IKEA is making laundry day more wonderful. For one day only, local residents will be able to do their washing in the company of Exeter’s local musicians, along with free washes courtesy of IKEA. By kitting out Kenjo’s space, from now on the wait there will be a lot more comfortable.

Exeter by Bike

When: Sunday 6 May 2018, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm

Where: Exeter Civic Centre, Paris Street

What: Tour Exeter in style and safely with IKEA’s electric bike tour in partnership with Co-bikes. IKEA will provide all of the gear you need, including IKEA SLADDA helmets and hi-vis vests, so riders can see the wonderful sights of Exeter with very little effort at all. The tours are available for anyone aged 16 and up. To see the routes and book a place on a tour, visit IKEA.co.uk/Exeter

As part of its vision to create a better everyday life for the many people, the “Wonderful Everyday Tour” represents IKEA’s commitment to being a good neighbour in the local community and giving back to the people of Exeter and the wider region.

(Image: Abbie Bray)

How to shop in the store two days before it opens

The new store is set to open on Thursday, May 10, although if you sign up to the store's exclusive IKEA family preview day, you will be one of the first to step foot in Exeter's new store.

On the day there will be plenty of fun events including welcome tours, face painting and food sampling.

The tour will be for IKEA family members only but don't worry because you can sign up for free here.

On Tuesday, May 8, IKEA family members will have the chance to shop in the new store ahead of its opening. There will be two time slots to choose from, the morning session will run from 10am until 2pm and the afternoon session will run from 4pm until 8pm.

What is the history behind IKEA Exeter?

In the early noughties plans were unveiled for an IKEA warehouse store in Exeter.

But, as with most large-scale developments, their main stumbling block at the time was finding a suitable site with suggestions it should "go on Matford Park or a new retail park at Digby."

During preliminary talks with Exeter City Council they were told to "consider a smaller scale development."

At the time the council worried it would take trade away from the city centre, contravene planning guidelines on out-of-town shopping developments, and cause traffic chaos.

A motion was put forward by council members accusing the controlling authority of having "a lack of ambition" after the negativity over IKEA's bid to move to the city.

The motion called for the authority to urgently renew talks.

It was the same month neighbouring Mid Devon District Council told them that if they didn't want it - they would have it at the junction of the M5 at Willand.

Hopes were then put on hold until "at least 2005" because of the lack of a suitable site.

But it wasn't until October 2013 when outline plans were submitted to the council and unanimously backed at a planning committee after being told that around £14m of trade would be diverted from IKEA's Bristol store.

Final plans arrived three years later in September 2016 and, in a unexpected moved, approved by planning officers under delegated powers two months later behind closed doors.

The official groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2017.

At the ceremony, Head of IKEA UK Gillian Drakeford commented: “In our 30 anniversary year, our new Exeter store highlights our commitment to continued expansion and investment in the UK.

"As part of our growth plans, we aim to make IKEA as accessible to as many people as possible, and we are delighted to be able to bring our home-furnishings expertise to Exeter and the surrounding area.”