Ikea UK and Ireland boss Peter Jelkeby told Retail Week the 30,000 sq ft store was a “bespoke” model built over seven floors in 2007, but it is “just too big for the location now”.

The store is due to shut this summer and will result in 352 people entering a period of consultation with the aim to retain as many as possible within Ikea.

Jelkeby said the homeware retailer will support all affected colleagues in “finding a future” in nearby stores such as Nottingham, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.