What have you missed most during lockdown?
For hundreds in the North East, it seems the answer to that question is 'Ikea'.
Throughout Monday there have been huge queues outside the Metrocentre store on its first day open since March.
The homeware giant has opened 19 of its sites around the country as part of the first phase of retail returning to normal.
From today, certain non-essential shops are allowed to begin trading again, as long as they can maintain social-distancing guidelines.
Since this morning there have been huge lines of people standing in the sunshine waiting to be admitted to the shop.
And it's not just North East shoppers who have dashed out to get their fix of flat pack furniture and Swedish meatballs.
Similar scenes have been replicated at Ikea stores around the country, including reports that people queued from 5.30am to get in.
A one-way system is in place at stores with admissions limited and staff on hand to ensure social-distancing guidelines are followed.
Only cashless transactions are being allowed, Ikea bosses confirmed.
The Government advice is that you should wear a mask when in an enclosed public place if social-distancing is not possible.
A drive-in testing service is located in the Ikea carpark.
Were you at Ikea in Gateshead today? Do you feel as if social-distancing guidance was being followed?
Get in touch at sean.seddon@reachplc.com
