IKEA has announced today that its new store in Reading will open on July 14.

The store is the first to be built in the UK in seven years, bringing the IKEA product range to the doorsteps of customers throughout the Thames Valley.

The 32,000 square meter store in Pincents Lane, Calcot, will provide the full IKEA product range and will create up to 350 jobs in a wide range of roles including customer relations, sales, interior design and in the IKEA restaurant.

Recruitment and training has already begun, with just 130 roles left to fill.

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."

IKEA Reading will be the 19th IKEA store in the UK.