IN February the Advertiser revealed Ikea was looking at opening a store in the middle Swindon, in the area containing the Carfax Street walk-in health centre, the car park and Davis House. The furniture giant said it had been looking at a site in the middle of Swindon for some time, and was in discussion with the council.

Yesterday a spokeswoman from Ikea confirmed that talks were ongoing. If Ikea moved to Swindon it would create 500 jobs.

Currently the nearest Ikea is off the M32 in Bristol.