IKEA stores in Scotland will remain open after the country enters level four restrictions on Boxing Day. 

The furniture retailer explained homeware is classed as essential retail in Scotland. 

All non-essential retail stores must close at 12.01am on Boxing Day after urgent precautions were put in place to prevent the spread of a variant strain of Covid-19. 

The strain prompted concerns after rapidly-spreading throughout London but is not thought to impact deaths caused by coronavirus. 

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Extensive safety measures will be in place in IKEA for customers and staff. 

However, stores in the south-east of England and London will close due to coronaviurs guidance.

IKEA Glasgow, located in Braehead Shopping Centre, will be among the stores to stay open. 

But punters are advised to abide with rules regarding travel. 

People in level three and level four restrictions are urged to not travel outside their council areas. 

An IKEA spokeswoman said: “In these continuing extraordinary times, we would like to thank all our customers for their support and our co-workers for their amazing agility and togetherness."Since the first lockdown we have put all our efforts into keeping our customers and co-workers safe and enabling our customers to continue to shop with us in new and convenient ways.

"In line with government guidance, our stores in London, Lakeside, Milton Keynes, Reading and Cardiff have now closed to customers but will continue to operate Click & Collect, Home Delivery, and Click & Deliver services to DPD points.

"In Scotland, where homeware is designated as essential retail, and in line with rules regarding travel, we will remain open with extensive safety measures in place for customers and co-workers.

"With life at home more important than ever, we look forward to continuing to meet our customers’ needs whether in-store or through our digital channels.”