Swedish flat-pack firm IKEA intends to reopen UK stores from May 18

IKEA is planning to reopen its stores across the UK later this month, according to the Daily Mail.

Bosses of the Swedish flat-pack furniture firm are apparently drawing up plans to allow its UK outlets to start trading again from May 18.

Commenting on IKEA’s plans, a source told the newspaper, “there is anxiety about how it can be managed” and “we need to be 100 per cent certain we can clean systematically throughout the day.”

IKEA faces major challenges in terms of store hygiene and enforcing strict management of social distancing.

It is not yet known if all or some stores will open.

Some of the stores’ car parks – in Wembley and Gateshead – have been converted into coronavirus testing centres.