BOSSES from worldwide flat pack chain IKEA have addressed rumours they are to open a new store in the county.

The company, which has 21 of its superstores across the UK, revealed plans last year to open a number of smaller branches in cities across the country as part of a new series of expansions.

Currently, those living in Carlisle face a long 120-mile round trip to the nearest store in Gateshead in the north east.

Elsewhere, IKEA's other nearest stores are located north of the border in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and also south down the M6 in Manchester.

While keen Cumbrian shoppers have to deal with a journey lasting several hours to buy any goods from a branch outside of the county, the Swedish chain has faced fresh calls to open a new store in Carlisle.

It comes as smaller vacant sites were identified at the former Staples shop on James Street in the city centre, the now-closed Office Outlet on London Road Retail Park, plus at the soon to be built £6.5m retail park near Bristol Street Motors in Kingstown.

A spokesman from IKEA said: “We’re in a fast changing retail environment and we want to make sure we continue to be affordable and convenient.

"Our ambitious growth plans mean we are focusing on all parts of creating a great customer experience, whenever and wherever people need us.

"This includes investing in our online offer and customer services, rebuilding and adapting existing IKEA stores, and evaluating different locations as part of a new city centre approach.

"As such, we are reviewing our growth strategy on an ongoing basis. We are not considering Carlisle as a potential location for IKEA at this current time.”

IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad.

Since 2008, the company remains the largest furniture retailer in the world.