Planning rule change permits big-box formats
The Irish government has paved the way for big-box retailing in the Republic of Ireland, and Ikea is expected to be the major beneficiary of the change.

At a cabinet meeting last week, the decision was taken to lift the 65,000 sq ft (6,000 sq m) cap on retail warehouses in Dublin and other major urban areas. There will now be no upper size limit on non-food stores in these areas, although the cap will still apply to food stores.

Ikea has been eyeing a 100 acre (40 ha) site at Ballymun to the north of Dublin, close to the M50, and it is expected to apply to Dublin City Council for planning permission once the regulations come into effect next month.