Ikea stores across Britain are seeing giant queues form outside today as lockdown restrictions are eased.
The car park at Ikea in Wembley, north London, which was until recently a coronavirus test centre, was full of customer cars this morning as the store opened for business for the first time since the lockdown was imposed.
Aerial photos show hundreds of customers queuing around the block in the stifling heat to get into the shops in Nottingham, Reading and Essex today as the Government urged the country to act ‘sensibly’ amid restrictions being eased.
Massive lines of people could also be seen snaking around the car parks at the Swedish furniture giant’s branches in Wednesbury, West Midlands.
Some eager shoppers had been queuing from as early as 5.30am – over four hours before the store was due to open at 10am today.
Huge traffic jams were also reported in and around the areas as people flocked to their local branch following Boris Johnson’s further easing of lockdown restrictions.
Pictured left: An IKEA store in Neasden, north London, on April 1, while its car park was being used as an NHS workers’ coronavirus testing centre. Right: The car park today, full of customers’ cars as the store opens for business for the first time since the lockdown was imposed in the UK
People queuing today at the Ikea store in Lakeside, Thurrock, Essex, which has reopened as part of a wider easing of lockdown restrictions in England
Huge queues form at Ikea, Nottingham, June 1. Customers have now been asked to shop alone, use hand sanitisers dotted around the store and be prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags
The stores are among 19 which have resumed trading with a number of social distancing and safety measures in place, including wardens to enforce the rules.
Mary Byfield, 49, began standing in line at 8am, outside the Wednesbury store, on a day temperatures were expected to reach 24C.
The mum-of-one, from Great Bridge, West Midlands, said: ‘I couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived. I thought I was early but there was already a massive queue here.
‘A couple of people had been here since 5.30am. It’s madness really but everything has been orderly so far. The traffic around the area is a nightmare though.
‘It’s going to be interesting to see how they are going to keep people safely apart as there’s going to be thousands going through the doors by the end of the day.
Customers socially distance themselves as the queue to enter Ikea in Warrington. The store opening saw large queues of people and traffic on adjacent roads
Customers queue at IKEA, Nottingham before it reopens on June 1 following its closure during lockdown
‘We’ve been redecorating during lockdown, but we’re just missing some finishing touches. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.
‘Everything seems to have gone up in price online and you can’t beat Ikea for a good bargain.’
Phillip Walker, 29, from Sneinton, Nottingham, waited for over an hour to get into his local store after queuing from 8.30am.
He added: ‘I brought along a camping chair as I thought everybody would be flocking here today.
‘I saw what other stores and fast food places have been like and knew it would be chaos.
‘But it’s been orderly chaos so far, I’m not sure if that’s all going to change once I get inside.
‘It’s taken well over an hour to get near the front of the queue. I just want to get in and out now – but not before I’ve bought some meatballs.’
Customers wait in line for the opening of an Ikea store on June 1 in Reading, Berkshire. Ikea had temporarily closed all 22 stores on March 22 following the outbreak of Covid-19
Ikea had temporarily closed all 22 stores on March 22 following the outbreak of Covid-19.
Customers have now been asked to shop alone, use hand sanitisers dotted around the store and be prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags.
Play areas and restaurants will also remain shut, but shoppers can still get their hands on the store’s famous meatballs, which are available in food courts to take home.
Peter Jelkeby, Ikea’s UK and Ireland chief executive, said: ‘We’re looking forward to warmly welcoming customers and co-workers back into our stores from 1st June.
‘Their health and safety remains our top priority, and that’s why we’ve put in place extensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of customers and co-workers.
‘While the experience might be a little different to before – it’s the same IKEA, with the vision to ‘create a better everyday life for the many people’, and the ambition to inspire people through our brilliant affordable range and home furnishing advice.
‘Throughout lockdown, we’ve had the unique privilege of being a part of people’s everyday lives at home, and we’re committed to continuing doing whatever we can to support our customers and co-workers on this next part of the journey we take together.’