Waitrose has changed its free drink offering to mean customers must also purchase a cake or a sandwich to claim the deal.

Despite this, the retailer has told British Baker it will not be increasing the number of cakes it orders in to the cafes.

The retailer emailed its myWaitrose members, saying: “Members who would like to drink their free tea or coffee in the café will also need to buy something in the café, such as a sandwich, cake or a piece of fruit, to go with their drink. Customers can still buy a drink in the café too.”

The retailer will implement new rules from Monday, 9 February. The change will not affect customers wanting to take away a hot drink from the cafés, or from other stores. The move has already been trialled in some locations.

The myWaitrose scheme is free to join and offers shoppers free hot drinks, complimentary magazines and additional savings on everyday items.

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