MYWaitrose card holders will have to buy something from the cafe at the Northwich Waitrose store from next month to continue to enjoy a free hot drink in the cafe.

Customers have been able to have a free tea or coffee at the cafe by presenting their card at the till.

However from Monday, February 9, cafe customers will have to buy something to continue to receive their free drink.

MyWaitrose customers who don’t wish to buy something from the cafe will still be able to get a free take-away tea or coffee from self-service machines near the front of the store.

The store has begun to inform customers about the change so they are aware of it before it is brought in.

Branch manager Peter Gibbs said: “A complimentary tea or coffee while shopping with us is one of the ways of saying thankyou to our customers.

“To make sure everyone using our café gets the enjoyable experience they should, myWaitrose members who would like to drink their tea or coffee in the cafe will also need to buy something such as a sandwich, cake or biscuit to go with their drink.

“MyWaitrose customers can of course use the self-service machines to get their free hot drink if they do not wish to purchase an item from the cafe.”

The Waitrose website states: “Nothing says ‘welcome’ more than a lovely cup of tea or coffee. That’s why we like to offer you a free hot drink when you come shopping at Waitrose. It’s one of the ways we like to say thank you for your custom.”

This is followed by a guide about the myWaitrose scheme and a “free tea and coffee etiquette.”

“We hope that through observing this free tea and coffee etiquette we can continue to offer a complimentary hot drink each time you shop with us,” said the website.

“From February 9 we will be asking myWaitrose members who wish to enjoy their free tea or coffee in one of our cafés to also purchase a treat such as a sandwich, cake, biscuit or piece of fruit.”

What do you think of the change in the free tea and coffee policy? Leave a comment below or email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk.