This is when IKEA in Sheffield will reopen, and what new measures will be in place
IKEA has announced plans to reopen 19 stores across England and Northern Ireland, including its Sheffield branch.
The stores will begin reopening from June 1, with social distancing wardens patrolling them to help shoppers and ensure they keep their distance.
Families will be banned, with the flat-pack giant saying only one adult and one child per household will be allowed inside at any time.
Play areas and restaurants will stay shut, but IKEA’s famous meatballs will be available in food courts to cook at home.
There will be extra hand sanitiser, and additional deep cleaning of bags, trolleys, bathrooms, equipment and touch screens.
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.
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.
IKEA is the latest retail giant to reveal its reopening plans after the Government announced some shops could reopen from next month as part of the gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Bosses aim to limit customer numbers via a staggered entry system, and they are asking shoppers to ‘come prepared with ready-made lists and own bags’.
Click & Collect facilities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are also opening in a phased approach and in line with Government guidelines, but stores in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will remain closed.