• The market will only be open to key workers and the most vulnerable, with other members of the public not admitted

  • Ikea said it decided to open the store because of its proximity to Croydon University Hospital

  • Hygiene and social distancing measures have been put in place at the store

 

Ikea has opened the food market in its store in Croydon to feed NHS staff and police, as well as elderly and vulnerable customers.

The home furnishing retailer will stock the usual range of meatballs and hotdogs at its Swedish Food Market alongside staple grocery items such as bread, milk and baked beans.

The store will only be open to key workers and the most vulnerable, with other members of the public not admitted, and the rest of the outlet will remain closed.

Ikea said it decided to open the Croydon store because of the proximity to Croydon University Hospital, which is one of the worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak in London.

The store will initially open to key workers from Monday to Friday between 8am and 12pm and 2pm and 4pm. Elderly and vulnerable customers and carers can visit between 12pm and 2pm.

Customers will be asked to show relevant identification to gain entrance.

“Now more than ever we need to come together as a community,” said store manager Gary Pearce.

“We want to do everything we can to support those most in need, including NHS workers at our local hospitals. By offering some essential food items alongside our Swedish food range, we hope that we can help to make their everyday lives just a little bit easier during these tough times.”

A full list of staple items available – with a purchase limit of two per customer – are:

  • Beans 2.62kg - £1.79
  • Chopped tomatoes 400g - 81p
  • Milk two litre - £1
  • Butter 250g - 91p
  • Loaf of bread- 89p
  • Porridge, 45g Oat So Simple pot - 90p

Ikea is also implementing the following measures:

  • Social distancing in the Swedish Food Market will be managed
  • Two-metre social distancing will be measured with markings outside of store should queues form, as well as throughout the market leading to tills
  • Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance, exit and at tills, with all customers required to use it before entering
  • Customers are asked to keep a two-metre distance from one another and from co-workers
  • Screens at tills will separate co-workers and customers
  • Transactions will be card only
  • All areas will be thoroughly cleaned

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