Croydon’s Ikea is one of 19 of the Swedish chain’s stores around the country which will be partially reopening after lockdown on June 1.
Ikea’s Croydon store in Valley Park, off the Purley Way: the ‘new normal’ will be missing meatballs
Ikea is only reopening in England. Its stores in Scotland and Wales will remain closed, as the devolved governments there opt to maintain stricter social distancing rules to try to avoid the risks of infection from coronavirus.
In Croydon, there will be restrictions around the Valley Park store to respect the requirements of the “new normal”, while there will be no opportunity to grab a plate of Swedish meatballs during your shopping trip, as the restaurant remains closed.
“The safety of our customers and co-workers remains the highest priority so we have been working hard to welcome you back safely,” an Ikea spokesman said.
“We’ve introduced measures so you can enjoy a safe and comfortable shopping experience. So we hope to be saying a socially-distanced ‘hej’ to you soon.”
Ikea wants customers to shop alone, or to bring only one other person from the same household. They’d prefer you to leave your children at home (the store’s creche and softplay area remain shut). There will be a queuing system outside to manage entry into the store.
Signage will be displayed throughout the store “to help customers stick to social distancing guidelines”, they say.
Staff will be doing extra scrubbing, cleaning, and sterilising to make the whole store as safe as possible. Hand sanitisers will be stationed throughout, as will new protective screens at key points such as checkouts. Customers have been advised to come prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags. Ikea will only accept cashless payments.
The Swedish Food Market – which has been open during the lockdown for NHS staff from Mayday Hospital and key workers – will be open with much of the usual Ikea food range, and a Bistro will operate for a takeaway service.
The stores will be reopening with reduced hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sunday: 11am to 5pm
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There will be very little difference to Ikea other than having to queue for about an hour to get in.