Cerro Maggiore say Yes to Ikea

Ikea is seeking to come to Cerro Maggiore, just outside Legnano, very close to the south of Varese Province, and the council administration is ready to welcome the Swedish chain’s new shopping centre.
Towns and villages nearby are not entirely enthusiastic about the arrival of the superstore, particularly the Mayer of Legnano, Alberto Centinaio, and they would all like the Mayor of Cerro, Antonio Lazzati, to come to a conference of towns and villages in Upper Milan Province, at least to discuss management of the work.

The arrival of Ikea in an such a densely inhabited area is by no means coincidental, considering that the nearest outlet is in the south-west of Milan, and the jobs would certainly be appreciated, at a time of such great economic difficulty. But many people are wondering whether the road network in the area, which is already under great stress because of the presence of many shopping centres, such as Auchan, in Rescaldina, Grancasa, in Legnano, and other, smaller shopping areas, will withstand the impact that a big store, like the one proposed for Cerro, will have on the roads. Mayor Centinaio has announced that he is going to ask to his colleague in Cerro Maggiore to attend negotiations attended by the mayors of Upper Milan Province, but, considering the recent repeated approach, the possibility that the Mayors of Busto Arsizio and Castellanza will also attend the negotiations, cannot be ruled out, in view of the realization of the metropolitan city of Milan.

The schedule for the start of work that Lazzati is hoping for indicates the end of 2013, so there is still time discuss management of the Ikea matter with his neighbours. However, the company itself has recently been feeling the first affects of the crisis, which they had hitherto avoided; nevertheless, Ikea recently confirmed investments in Italy, for the building of new sales outlets in Pisa, Rome and Cerro, totalling about €400 million.