MSE News: Waitrose to scrap free hot drinks offer in its cafes

When the free tea and coffee offer began at Waitrose, I talked to the customer service department at the branch I use and explained that I was carer for three disabled people (dad, 93, mum-in-law, 87 and family friend, 89) two of whom also had dementia. I explained that I do their shopping as well as mine, instore and online. I asked if there was a way I could get a hot drink to take back to whichever one I was on the way to visit, as well as my hot drink. They said that of course that would be fine, as long as I had the correct cards and did the two drinks as separate transactions, using my card for my one and their card for their one. The latte coffees have become a real treat for them all. However, the family friend has now gone into a nursing home, so, if I was going to visit her, I started using a different branch of Waitrose, I had been doing this for a couple of months with no problem, but then was told that I couldn't get a hot drink for her too as she wasn't present in the store. I explained that I had checked it would be okay to do this when the scheme started and that I'd been doing it, with permission, since then, but she said it was policy and nothing she could do about it, I explained that the person I was getting it for is housebound and can't even get into a car, let alone go on a trip to Waitrose, but to no avail. I contacted Waitrose through email and they have confirmed that I am not allowed to get a drink for any of them unless they are present!! It's a real shame Waitrose can't look at the situation and use a bit of compassion. However, it will be me that misses out on the hot drink, as I'm not going to penalise my "elderlies" for being unable to be present at the store. May have to rethink where I do their shopping though...........