‘Meltdown’ over Waitrose’s new hot drinks offer

WAITROSE shoppers and staff have been left confused after the decision to stop offering free coffee and tea to loyalty card holders.

The supermarket will now only hand out a free hot drink if a customer has bought something.

But there is uncertainty over what happens when couples are shopping together and both want a hot drink.

Shopper Emily Watson found even Waitrose staff did not understand the rules at a store in Orpington, Kent.

She wrote on Twitter: ‘Pls clarify coffee situ for married couple, shopping together, one payment method, both having free coffee! Store in meltdown!’

Staff replied: ‘Hi Emily, so long as they’re buying two items or more this is fine. Sorry for the confusion, the shop should be aware of this.’

Ms Watson then wrote: ‘Just to clarify, we don’t need to separate out our shopping into two transactions, which is what Green St Green said this morning?’

Waitrose replied that it encouraged staff to ‘ use their discretion’ in such circumstances.

Waitrose later told the Daily Mail that a couple will qualify for two free coffees, providing both have a myWaitrose card and they have bought at least two items.