Opening of Ikea's Oxford street store delayed to 2025 after water leak in basement

IKEA

The opening of Ikea on Oxford street has been delayed for a second time to fix leaks in the basement.

Ikea is moving into the former Topshop flagship store but will now not open its doors until Spring 2025.

Work started on the Grade-II listed site in 2022 with a view to open autumn 2023.

The Swedish furniture and homeware giant said the shop would not be open until 2025 due to the “hugely complex” renovation.

Ikea took over the seven-storey building when Topshop’s parent company Arcadia plunged into administration.

The company said work on the building had seen “significant progress” but construction workers faced “unexpected conditions” during the process.

The latest problem to beset the projects is water leak in the lower of two basement levels.

Peter van der Poel, managing director of Ingka Investments, said: “Ikea Oxford Street is a one-of-a-kind project, involving the sensitive and sustainable upgrade of a building that is over 100 years old.

“Following the discovery of an unforeseen water ingress issue, we’re now taking vital steps to mitigate long-term flood risk, and to protect and future-proof this historic building for many years to come.”

Peter Jelkeby, chief executive and chief sustainability officer of Ikea UK, said: “The historic nature of the building makes its careful renovation more complex, but we want to ensure Londoners that we’re just as excited to open the store as they are to visit it.

“We look forward to doing so in spring 2025 and contributing to a positive future for London’s most renowned shopping district.”

To receive the best stories in your inbox every day, click here to register for one or more newsletters from The Standard.