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Ikea re-opens food store to help hospital workers and elderly

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Croydon’s Ikea, on Valley Retail Park, is opening its food market from today to help feed vulnerable customers and key workers.

Ikea has re-configured its food area to provide another supply outlet exclusively for key workers, the old and vulnerable

The Swedish Food Market – typically selling Swedish favourites and found after the tills in every Ikea – is opening to NHS workers and police, the elderly, the most vulnerable and their carers and to Ikea co-workers.

In addition to its normal range including meatballs, salmon balls and vegetable balls, the store will stock more regular staple items including bread, milk, butter and canned tomatoes. Members of the public who do not fit the criteria laid down by the store will not be admitted. The rest of the store remains closed during the covid-19 lockdown on non-essential business.

The Croydon Ikea is just one mile away from Mayday Hospital, where NHS staff are working around the clock dealing with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The decision to stock food for NHS workers is a way Ikea can continue supporting these hospitals and the wider, local community – offering an additional way to access food for those with the greatest need,” a statement from the company said.

The store will initially open to key workers from Monday to Friday between 8am and 12 noon, and from 2pm to 4pm, while elderly and vulnerable customers and carers can visit between noon and 2pm. Customers will be asked to show ID to gain entrance.

Ikea will stock staple foods like bread and milk for the convenience of NHS workers

In order to ensure customers and co-workers’ safety, Ikea is also implementing the following measures:

“Now, more than ever, we need to come together as a community,” said Gary Pearce, Ikea Croydon’s store manager.

“We want to do everything we can to support those most in need, including NHS workers at our local hospitals. By offering some essential food items alongside our Swedish food range, we hope that we can help to make their everyday lives just a little bit easier during these tough times.”

The staple items available are listed below. A maximum of two of any one product can be purchased at one time. Products usually sold in Ikea’s Swedish Food Market are also available.

Beans 2.62kg – £1.90
Chopped tomatoes 400g – £0.80
Milk 2 litre – £1.00
Butter 250g – £1.00
Loaf of bread- £1.00
Porridge, 45g Oat So Simple pot – £0.90


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