Ikea has spoken out after introducing a new entrance policy.
The team at the Churchill Square in Brighton recently introduced a new "precautionary measure" after a number of incidents affected customers and staff.
The Swedish retail giant said it "felt the need to introduce a precautionary measure" after multiple incidents which "affected customers and co-workers’ wellbeing".
The retailer said the measure was put in place to "avoid gatherings of larger groups".
However, in response to questions from The Argus, Ikea did not explain exactly what "precautionary measure" was being introduced.
Nor did it specify what counts as a "larger group", nor give any further detail on what "incidents" occurred.
The homeware retailer has now given a further comment.
Defending the new entrance policy, a spokesperson for Ikea Brighton said: "As with any retailer, our priority is to ensure our customers have the best possible experience of our stores and products and that they do so in a safe and welcoming way.
"We also take the wellbeing of our co-workers extremely seriously and, as a result, will always reserve the right to implement appropriate measures to maintain customer experience and safety, where necessary."
The issue came to light after Ikea apologised for denying entry to two young men.
Steven Paul shared that his son had visited Ikea Brighton at the beginning of December.
The 18-year-old had visited the store with another male friend, around lunchtime, looking to purchase items to redecorate his room using money he had been saving.
However, upon arriving at the store the pair were shocked to be told by security staff they weren't allowed to enter.
Steven feared that his son was judged on his identity, gender, age, due to being a young Asian man who is also high-functioning autistic.
But Ikea said the decision was part of its new measure to avoid large gatherings.
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A spokesperson for Ikea Brighton said at the time: "We want all customers to feel welcome and safe.
"After a number of recent incidents which have affected other customers and our co-workers’ wellbeing, we have felt the need to introduce a precautionary measure to avoid gatherings of larger groups.
"We remain committed to handling situations with fairness and sensitivity, and apologise that this approach was not applied as intended in this instance."
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