Shoppers at local Waitrose stores don't have to worry about the company tightening up its rules over free tea and coffee.

Waitrose has made headlines today over rumours My Waitrose shoppers would no longer be entitled to a cup unless they could prove they had bought something.

But the change only applies to customers who want to drink their free cup in one of the store cafes. They WILL have to purchase something from the cafe if they want to sit down to drink their freebie, but for stores without cafes, the policy remains the same as it always has. 

That means customers heading to local stores in Ringwood, Christchurch, Wimborne, or Ashley Road can still enjoy their hot drink while they shop.

A spokesperson for Waitrose set the story straight. They said: “A complimentary tea or coffee while shopping with us is one of our ways of saying thank you to our customers.

“Most people who have their myWaitrose free drink in the café understand that they should buy something from the café to have with their tea or coffee, and so we are simply confirming that.

“MyWaitrose 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 piece of fruit to go with their drink. Customers can still buy a drink in the café too.

“Of course myWaitrose customers can still get their free hot drink from the self serve machines whilst they are shopping with us.”

The popular loyalty scheme gives out millions of free drinks every week to its five million members, as well as free newspapers to those spending more than £5.