This is when IKEA in Leeds will reopen - as retailer announces list of 19 stores

Ikea said 19 sites reopening from June 1 will be in Croydon, Greenwich, Lakeside, Wembley, Tottenham, Norwich collection point, Birmingham, Nottingham, Belfast, Manchester, Warrington, Gateshead, Leeds, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Reading, Southampton, Bristol and Exeter.

Restaurants and play areas will remain closed, it was announced.

However, the food market will reopen for customers to make food like Swedish meatballs at home, the retailer added.

The stores are set to 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 Ikea saying it will allow one adult and one child per household inside the store at any one point.

The homewares giant also revealed its Coventry store, which was already facing the axe, will remain closed permanently.

Since the pandemic and subsequent closure, Ikea’s car parks in Gateshead and Wembley have been turned into drive-through coronavirus testing sites.

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.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor