Customers queue as Ikea re-opens 19 stores

Customers are reported to have queued for hours to have the chance to shop at Ikea's Warrington store for the first time since lockdown in March.

The homewares giant reopened its doors at 19 sites, including Warrington and Manchester, on Monday morning, with new safety measures in place and limits on the number of customers allowed in at any one time.

Prior to reopening, Ikea bosses said wardens will patrol stores to help shoppers and ensure they keep their distance from each other.

Families are banned, with the business saying it will only allow one adult and one child per household inside the store at any one point.

Play areas and restaurants will stay shut, but Ikea insists its popular meatballs will be available in food courts to cook at home

Click and collect facilities are also opening in a phased approach and in line with Government guidelines, with Ikea saying this will depend on which UK region stores are in.

Extra hand sanitiser and more deep cleans of bags, trolleys, bathrooms, equipment and touchscreens will take place.

Cash will not be accepted, with all payments by card or contactless device only, and customers should avoid travelling to stores just to process refunds because Ikea says it has a 365-day returns policy