Chester IKEA's cashless policy is to improve the 'overall safety' of the store, a spokesperson has revealed.

On Thursday 9 October, IKEA opened its latest site in the Greyhound Retail Park.

Visitors were quick to notice its cashless policy, with the store only accepting card and digital payments.

Highlighting safety reasons, a spokesperson told Nub News: "This approach improves overall safety of the store by minimising the risks associated with handling and storing physical cash.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause our customers."

As the retailer's third 'smaller' site, IKEA Chester follows the launch of bases in Harlow and Norwich, developed to be significantly faster and more cost-effective to open than traditional IKEA stores.

Andy MacGregor, unit manager for IKEA Chester, explained being "closer to people's doorstep" is key to the new format.

He said: "We are a smaller format, however, we're an omni-channel retailer. Even though you can't pick up everything today, everything's available for click and collect within two days.

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"It's all really positive. We're closer to people's doorstep and that's the main thing."

The Chester store features room sets, second-hand finds, kitchens, a wide range of home furnishings and take home small furniture items the same day. Other key features include a showroom and market hall - featuring home furnishing accessories and limited-edition seasonal ranges.

The Swedish Bite offers a selection of food for those wanting to eat in at the food court, or take away.

IKEA Chester is open Monday to Saturday 10am – 8pm and Sundays 10:30am - 4:30pm.