IKEA’s food markets will be serving those most in need.
Despite closing their stores to the general public back in March, IKEA are still doing great things for London. First, they turned their Wembley branch into a coronavirus testing centre for NHS workers. And now, they’re reopening their Swedish food markets to help people in need – by offering them for exclusive use by NHS staff and other key workers, along with the elderly and vulnerable.
Food markets at both their Tottenham and Greenwich branches have been reopened, whilst the Croydon market has been running for those in need since March 31st. Tottenham and Greenwich have been earmarked for reopening due to their proximity to local hospitals, including North Middlesex University Hospital and Whipps Cross University Hospital (Tottenham) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital and NHS Nightingale (Greenwich).
The markets will be open to NHS and emergency service workers, the elderly, vulnerable people and carers, and IKEA co-workers, and offers a useful alternative to supermarkets if you’re in the area. The rest of the stores remain closed (no picking up a Billy bookcase at the same time) and if you don’t fall into one of these groups, you won’t be permitted to shop there.
Products available include the essentials: bread, milk, butter, coffee, tinned tomatoes, and of course, meatballs. Social distancing measures – including two-metre spacing between shoppers, contactless payments, and hand sanitiser stations at the entrance, exit, and tills – will be in effect, and opening hours will be staggered for different groups. IKEA Tottenham will be open 9am-12pm and 2-5pm for NHS and key workers, and 12-2pm for the elderly and vulnerable, whilst IKEA Greenwich will serve key workers from 8am-12pm, and 2-4pm, with elderly customers shopping from 12-2pm. Both markets will be open Monday to Friday, so let there be meatballs!