Four home educating mums have received an official apology from Ikea – all the way from Sweden – after they were thrown out for using the store's restaurant as a classroom.

The mums, who have 13 children between them, meet at Bletchley superstore for coffee and 'quiet play' sessions for two hours every Monday afternoon.

"It seemed to be an ideal choice – a large, almost empty restaurant with large tables and a declared child-friendly policy," said Shoshana Toothill, who has four children aged between four and 13.

Each week the home tutored youngsters take card games, board games or are encouraged to do other quiet activities, she said.

But last week Ikea was awarded far from full marks when six staff members descended to ask the group to leave – despite the fact that the mums had spent more than £20 on snacks and coffee.

"We were told we were taking up too much room – two tables in an otherwise more than half empty restaurant," said Shoshana.

When the mums explained who they were, a member of staff said: "I don't see much education going on."

Shoshana retorted: "That's irrelevant. We weren't claiming to be in the process of education. We are in no way obliged to educate in a set fashion, nor are we obliged to educate within set hours."

Staff also complained about the mums bringing their own food – two took food for babies – and lingering too long.

Finally they suggested that the children's card games were "gambling" and broke the store's licensing agreement, said Shoshana.

She said: "Clearly they were clutching at straws. After a lot of heated, but polite on our part, discussion we finally allowed to finish our drinks before we were forced to leave."

Determined Shoshana, who lives at Galley Hill, promptly emailed the tale to every home education group in the country, urging them to boycott Ikea.

Then she complained to the store's chief executive officer at its Swedish HQ.

This week her tenacity paid off and the mums were invited back to meet the manager.

She said: "He was very, very nice. He apologised and was very positive and encouraging. He said mums and children were core Ikea customers and we were welcome any time."

Now the group will be resuming its quiet play Ikea sessions next Monday.
Meanwhile their home tutored children have put it down to experience – an educational one.

>> What do you think. Is a furniture shop cafe suitable for a mums' group? Email your views to feedback@mkcitizen.co.uk