Edinburgh customers forced to wait in huge IKEA queues as locals stock up on furniture

Shockingly long queues were spotted in Edinburgh’s IKEA store today as bad weather and England’s lockdown announcement saw a surge of people heading to the shops.

Customers were reportedly forced to wait over 20 minutes to be served at the till on Sunday at the popular furniture store.

Images taken by one shopper showed the queues stretching a huge distance away from the shop’s exit, with people lining up on a trail that seemed to stretch all the way around the warehouse.

In a tweet, @Barriestweeting said: “If by any chance you have it in your mind to visit @IKEAUK today….don’t do it! Current queue situation at Straiton 20 minutes waiting to get to the till.”

The flat-pack haven and many other retailers around the city were seen to be busy this weekend as locals tried to escape the heavy rain that battered the city on Saturday.

Storm Aidan has brought miserable conditions and very high winds to the central belt, causing many to head for some retail therapy.

As other shopping centres such as the Gyle and the Livingston Designer Outlet were also seen to be packed this afternoon, speculation has also risen as to whether or not panic buying has begun after England announced a month-long lockdown.

On Saturday evening, Boris Johnson confirmed that England would be reverting back to lockdown until December 2, with non-essential shops and hospitality venues to close.

In response, Nicola Sturgeon said that Scotland “would not hesitate” to increase restrictions if it was needed, but added that the. country is in a better position than other areas of the UK.

SOURCE : edinburghlive