North East IKEA store among those set to reopen - complete with takeaway meatballs to cook at home

The furniture giant is set to open 19 stores across England and Northern Ireland next month, making it the latest big-name chain to announce plans to welcome back customers.

They will start reopening from June 1 and social distancing wardens will patrol stores to help shoppers and ensure they keep their distance.

But families will be banned, with the firm saying it will only allow one adult and one child per household inside the store at any one point.

Play areas and restaurants will also stay shut – but the meatballs will be available in food courts to cook at home.

Since stores closed due to the lockdown, the IKEA site in Gateshead has been used as a drive-through coronavirus testing facility.

Key workers were also allowed to shop in the Swedish Food Markets after being tested.

On reopening to the public, bosses said they aim to limit customer numbers via a staggered entry system and are asking shoppers to "come prepared with ready-made lists and own bags".

Click & Collect facilities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland also opening in a phased approach and in line with Government guidelines. Stores in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will remain closed, the company added.

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 - with Ikea pointing out it has a 365-day returns policy.

It follows updated plans from Wetherspoon and Sports Direct, which both released details for reopenings, and chains including McDonald's, KFC and Greggs start offering services again.

The 19 stores reopening are Croydon, Greenwich, Lakeside, Wembley, Tottenham, Norwich collection point, Birmingham, Nottingham, Belfast, Manchester, Warrington, Gateshead, Leeds, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Reading, Southampton, Bristol and Exeter.

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