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Coventry IKEA Store Closure
13 February 2020
Lead MP
Zarah Sultana
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmploymentTransportBusiness & TradeBenefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Zarah Sultana raised concerns about coventry ikea store closure in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Zarah Sultana expressed concern over IKEA’s closure announcement, which will put 352 jobs at risk in Coventry city centre. She highlighted the economic and social impact on local workers, small businesses, and students who rely on the store's café. The MP linked this closure to broader trends of deindustrialisation and the decline of high streets in regions like the midlands and north. Sultana called for a strategy to maintain thriving city centres with secure jobs and emphasised the need for investment in green industries and public transport. She urged the Government to support workers at risk of unemployment, including by reversing decades of cuts to public services.
Taiwo Owatemi
Your Party
Coventry North West
Agreed that there is an urgent need for a clear strategy to maintain and grow city centres, with secure and well-paid jobs.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Suggested IKEA should prioritise redeployment or training of its staff rather than simply closing the store.
Government Response
EconomyTaxationEmploymentTransportBusiness & TradeBenefits & Welfare
Government Response
Minister Kwasi Kwarteng acknowledged the concerns raised by Zarah Sultana and other MPs about IKEA’s closure in Coventry. He emphasised that the Government will work closely with IKEA to support affected employees, including through reassignment or redeployment opportunities within the company. The Minister discussed the broader challenges facing retail, citing changes brought on by business rates, digital capabilities, and shifting consumer behaviours. He highlighted the £3.6 billion towns fund announced in 2019 as part of efforts to revitalise local economies and high streets. Kwarteng also mentioned the Government’s commitment to green job creation through offshore wind projects and other environmental initiatives. The Minister invited further discussions on how best to encourage retail innovation and support small businesses adapting to market changes.
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