Coronavirus: Ikea announces it will close all of its UK stores

Ikea has announced that due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, it will be closing all of its stores in the UK and Ireland.

The move follows a similar decision in the Netherlands (pictured) and Germany where stores are have also been closed to the public. Picture: Stephen Van De Bos\Getty

Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability officer, stated that customers would still be able to order their goods online but that as a precautionary measure against the ongoing risk of COVID-19, they had taken the decision to cease trading at their British and Irish stores, he said: “These are extraordinary times and I know that, like all of us here at IKEA, many of you are concerned about coronavirus (COVID-19). Our thoughts are with all those affected and the people working tirelessly to care for them.

“We are guided in our decisions by the directions from the Government, by our global company direction and by our strong set of IKEA principles and values.

“As a precautionary measure against the ongoing risk of COVID-19, we have decided that, at 6pm on Friday 20th March, we will temporarily close all the IKEA stores across the UK and Ireland to customers.”

Adding that their co-workers were at the heart of the IKEA business, Mr Jelkeby thanked them for their hard work during this trying time and thanked customers for their understanding during these extraordinary circumstances.

It has not been made clear if jobs at the Swedish furniture giant are affected.