IKEA responds to rumours that stores could be reopening this weekend

IKEA stores across the country have been closed since the UK went into lockdown in March to control the outbreak of coronavirus.

On Tuesday, March 31 the firm announced that its flagship store at Wembley in London became the first location to host a drive-through NHS test centre in its car park.

This was followed by the North East’s only IKEA store on Pintree Way, Gateshead which has been used as Covid-19 testing facility since Thursday, April 9.

Rumours have been circulating that the company is due to reopen stores as of the coming weekend - with reports suggesting that a number of sites across the UK would open first as part of an initial trial.

However, a spokesperson has confirmed that there are no plans to reopen any stores in the immediate future.

The company is said to be awaiting further guidance and clarity from the Government on when they can safely open to shoppers again.

An IKEA spokesperson said: “It is too early to say when we will reopen our units in the UK. We are waiting for further clarity from the UK government on ease of the lockdown restrictions, and will only open in line with UK government guidance.

“As we continue to plan for the safe reopening of our stores, and look forward to welcoming back our customers in our stores in the not too distant future, they can still purchase our products online.”

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