Waitrose 'scraps' tea and coffee free-for-all and reminds shoppers of loyalty card 'etiquette'

Waitrose is scrapping a tea and coffee free-for-all which allowed loyalty card holders to enjoy free hot drinks in its cafes, even if they bought nothing else.

The supermarket chain denies that it is a cost-saving exercise and it is only reminding its myWaitrose card holders of the "etiquette" of the offer.

Members of the scheme have been emailed to say that from February 9 that if they wish to enjoy a free tea or coffee in one of its cafes they must also purchase a "treat" such as "a sandwich, cake, biscuit or piece of fruit".

"This change will enable us to continue to offer our customers the enjoyable service they expect," the email said.

The change will not affect customers wanting to take away a hot drink from the cafes, or from other stores. It has already been trialled in some locations.

The change is designed to be fair to those who might be coming in to the cafes to buy a meal or a snack - only to find their place may have been taken by a customer who was not paying.

But the spokeswoman brushed off the suggestion that the change was in response to reports that Waitrose was facing a middle-class backlash from customers upset that the stores were being invaded by less well-off shoppers.