THE opening date for the much anticipated Calcot branch of Ikea has been announced.

The Swedish flat-pack furniture outlet will open on Pincents Lane on Thursday, July 14 2016.

The announcement comes three years after it was confirmed that previous site occupants Homebase, Carpetright and Reading Bowl would make way for 32,000 square metre store and seven months after the build began.

When it opens it will be 19th Ikea in the UK and the first to open in the country for seven years.

Johanna Heuren, IKEA Reading Store Manager, said: “We are thrilled to announce the official IKEA Reading store opening date as we continue to move closer to bringing our home furnishing offer to people in the Thames Valley.

“We are still on the look-out for passionate and curious co-workers to be part of the team that brings IKEA to people in the Thames Valley, so I encourage anyone who shares our passion for home furnishing and people to get in touch.”