Ikea

Looking for that special sofa for your home or a set of chairs for your office, well, one of Ikea's prime stores in located just minutes away from Park Royal.

Just off the A406, this Ikea previously known as Ikea Brent Park and now called Ikea Wembley is one of the biggest stores that the Swedish company operates in Europe with over five million people visiting it.

Over the years, Ikea has expanded the store increasing not just the shop space but also parking and extended opening hours mean you can shop 'til you drop until midnight weekdays.

Park Royal locals know when it is best to shop there. Avoid the peak hours of weekends and early evening and the hassle that shoppers enjoy of waiting in line to be served when they take their goods to the check out doesn't have to apply.

Choose a weekday mid afternoon slot  - 2pm to 4.30pm is a good choice to avoid the queues and leave as quickly as possible.

Since expanding and revamping its store, Ikea has made its shopping experience even better.

Value for money food is offered for those needing some refreshment. A large slice of Apple pie costs 50p while most meals are offered for around £4. Soft drinks cost 50p as well while hot drinks come in at 75p and refills are offered.

The store is clean and easy to get around.

On occasion it can be tricky to locate a member of staff to offer help and advise as it seems only certain departments have what appears to be permanent staff all the time. Would be helpful if Ikea could have at least two people in each department so that customers have someone in the same department as they are in.

If you choose your timings by shopping off-peak then the Ikea experience can be enjoyable, choosing Ikea during peak hours can be a somewhat traumatic experience and question why you have come in to buy a couple of items and queue for 20 minutes or more.

On exiting the check outs, if you realise you can't really carry that sofa back home, Ikea offers delivery services using a third party.  Depending on the value of your goods and where they are being delivered determines the cost.  Two largish items such as a bookcase will cost between £20 and £30 for delivery.

And if you can't be bothered to make the furniture yourself, Ikea also has a counter in store for a company to assembly it for you. Expect to pay around £20 for a three or four draw chest to be assembled in your home.

Address:

2 Drury Way, North Circular Rd, London, NW10 0TH
Telephone: 0845 355 1141

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Ikea