Thousands expected as Ikea opens

Invited shoppers will visit the store a day before its opening

Traffic diversions have been put in place to cope with thousands of shoppers expected at the opening of Coventry's new Ikea store.

Thousands of shoppers were expected at Saturday's "VIP launch" and when the store opens to the public on Sunday.

To prevent tailbacks, drivers will not be able to access the Croft Road store from junction seven of the ring road.

Drivers will be diverted at junction eight onto Holyhead Road and via back streets to the Butts Road car park.

There will also be traffic diversions in place for people not travelling to the store, especially on Allesley Old Road.

Coventry City Council said its priority is to keep the ring road flowing.

Gary Marshall, cabinet member responsible for traffic, has said he was "confident" this would happen.