Exeter welcomes the new plans for an Ikea store in the city, the results of a ThisIsExeter poll has revealed.
The news that a new Ikea store in Exeter is likely to be built next to Sandy Park by 2015 was announced last week and resulted in hundreds of users voting on our online poll.
The votes have now been counted and reveal that a total of 93 per cent of users welcome the Swedish mega-store.
Many Exonians took to Social Networking site Twitter to celebrate the news. See a few of the best reactions below:
woop woop #Ikea is coming to Exeter! There goes my bank balance
— Gina Caro (@Gina_Caro) March 17, 2013
Asda and ikea is coming to exeter, make me not want to leave! Eekk
— Sophie greenham(@sophiegreeenham) March 15, 2013
Fan news just heard IKEA is coming to Exeter! No more traipsing up to Bristol! Woo hop!
— Rachel Morris (@kidmorris) March 13, 2013
City leaders have also welcomed the news and the fact it will create hundreds of new jobs for the region. Derek Phillips, vice-president of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are obviously delighted that Ikea has chosen Exeter. It reaffirms our position as the retail hotspot of the South West, following the redevelopment of Princesshay and the arrival of John Lewis. "It's another boost to the Exeter economy, and a sign of confidence in the city from iconic names like Ikea and John Lewis. Hundreds of new jobs are always good news, especially in the current climate. "Ikea has looked at a lot of other places around the Westcountry but has chosen Exeter, which is great. They have been talking to planners about a number of sites for several years."RelatedWhat to expect from Exeter's IkeaCity leaders welcome Exeter Ikea moveExeter Ikea is 'not a disaster' for Plymouth, says business leaderNew Ikea store in Exeter 'will be next to Sandy Park' A new poll has now been started after the news that bus fares in Devon are to increase by average of 4.2%. Vote here or leave a comment under the story here.No joke, Mum, Dad and I just spent like 5 minutes dancing around the living room because Ikea is coming to Exeter.
— Cal (@littlec0mets) March 12, 2013
