Oxford News
Waitrose issues shopper notice amid controversial change
The major supermarket brand has become the latest retailer to increase its meal deal prices, raising them from £5 to £5.50, which is a 10 per cent increase.
It is the first time the supermarket has increased the price of its meal deal since introducing it in 2023.
The price change has brought a reaction online, with some bounce-back on X from frustrated customers.
READ MORE: Two TV legends find ‘joy’ at retirement homes in Oxfordshire
One shopper posted: “Waitrose meal deal up 10 per cent, games gone. #inflation #housingcrisis #gamesgone.”
Another added: “A 10 per cent increase in the price of the Waitrose lunchtime meal deal to £5.50?!
“With Tesco and Boots even closer to my office, I guess that’s the last time I’ll have a Waitrose lunch.”
An official Waitrose responded to the criticism with a shopper notice and said: “We’re committed to offering high-quality products.
READ MORE: Staff ‘gutted’ as UK giant cuts thousands of jobs amid £800m administration
“While some of our prices may be higher, they reflect the quality of our ingredients, our commitment to animal welfare, responsible sourcing and support for British farmers and producers.
“We also regularly offer promotions and loyalty rewards to give our customers the best possible value.”
This comes amid a separate customer notice on the coffee machines in the Oxford store on Botley Road today (Tuesday, June 16).
Both coffee dispensers at the shop are out of order, with one of them having leaked coffee as well as other liquids over the floor.
READ MORE: TV legend helps daughter through ‘heartbreaking’ marriage split
Staff had to soak up the mess with paper towels, while the area has been cordoned off with yellow wet floor signs.
“This time it’s got a leak, there’s an engineer on 24-hour call-out who should be on his way,” said a member of staff.
Last month, the two coffee dispensers at the Botley Road Waitrose were out of order for about a week.
One of the dispensers was eventually fixed, but then broke again, leaving customers with the choice of going without their free coffee or buying one from the store’s cafe.
READ MORE: Award-winning UK private school to mark 75th anniversary with celebration
Both dispensers were up and running for a short time, but now one has broken again – leaving staff and customers upset.
The issue is not a countrywide problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores, including the one in Abingdon, are working well.
One customer, who works on a nearby trading estate, said: “Like a lot of Waitrose customers, I enjoy the perk of getting a free coffee using my Waitrose card.
“I can’t believe this has happened for the third time in two months – it does make me wonder why they don’t invest in some new machines.”
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Thames Valley Police has launched a probe after a home was ‘broken into’ in an Oxfordshire Cotswolds village and a car was ‘stolen’.
Source link
Thames Valley Police updated today (Tuesday, June 16) that it has arrested a man for “theft and fraud offences”.
A spokesperson added that officers are no longer searching for a named man in connection with the alleged crimes that took place in Witney.
READ MORE: Teenager ‘sexually assaulted’ by man in 50s near Oxfordshire music festival
They said: “We are no longer appealing for the public’s help to find a wanted man from Witney.
“Earlier this month we appealed for information in relation to Andrew Silver, aged 43, wanted in connection with theft and fraud offences.
“We would like to thank the public for supporting our appeal, but we are no longer appealing for information.
“A man has been arrested in connection with these offences.”
The famous cook was a judge on the show during the BBC years between 2010 and 2016, before it left for Channel 4.
Dame Mary has lived in Henley, in the south of Oxfordshire, with her husband Paul Hunnings, since 2019, having previously lived in London.
The 91-year-old was also recently on hand to help open Audley Shiplake Meadows on Reading Road in the South Oxfordshire town.
READ MORE: Countryfile legend John Craven, 85, opens up on funeral plans
Henley’s newest retirement village is home to 65 senior living apartments, duplex penthouses and cottages for people over the age of 65 years old.
At the retirement home unveiling, Dame Mary said: “It was such a joy to be part of Audley Shiplake Meadows’ official opening event.
“Having called this area home for the past seven years, I know the new homeowners will be very happy here.”
Dame Mary was also recently awarded the Bafta Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to television.
“What an honour for a cook to receive the Bafta Fellowship,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it – for just doing what I love.”
READ MORE: Top Gear star James May FAILS driving test says instructor
The retirement village is home to 65 senior living apartments, duplex penthouses and cottages for people over the age of 65 years old.
At the retirement home unveiling, Dame Mary said: “It was such a joy to be part of Audley Shiplake Meadows’ official opening event.
“Having called this area home for the past seven years, I know the new homeowners will be very happy here.”
Dame Mary was also recently awarded the Bafta Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to television.
“What an honour for a cook to receive the Bafta Fellowship,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it – for just doing what I love.”
READ MORE: Major UK restaurant chain rescued from £37m debt administration
Earlier this month, another TV star visited a different Oxfordshire retirement home, where they also remarked about the “joy” of the experience.
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson took a trip to Burford in the west of the county on Friday, June 5, to give a talk at Cotswold Gate Care Home on Forest Grove.
It was here that Adam spoke with the Oxford Mail about a variety of subjects, starting with the retirement home itself.
After having earlier remarked how he loved the place and joked to the audience that he needed to put his deposit down to join, he added: “It’s an absolute joy.
“I’ve driven up to the one in Derbyshire in the past as well as the one in Cheltenham, and then this is my second visit here.
READ MORE: TV legend helps daughter through ‘heartbreaking’ marriage split
“This one is just 20 minutes from home, and coming through Burford is gorgeous.
“The home is beautifully capped and decorated, and I was sitting in this room that has amazing wallpaper, thinking ‘I’d quite like this in my house’.
“The interior design of these places is so lovely, and I’m getting to an age when I’m starting to think about my end-of-life, and where I’ll go and what I’ll do and what it’s going to be like.
“I’m hoping my children will be rich enough to pay for me to go into a very nice home like this!
“It’s a gorgeous place, and to be welcomed at the door was lovely, and everybody’s been so helpful, getting me cups of tea and all the tech work [with the talk’s presentation].
“So, you know I’m not just saying it, but it’s pretty faultless really.”
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoWhat happens to Halifax customers if Lloyds makes changes?
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoActor steps down from major role in new Harry Potter series
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire bridge closure comes as management ‘weaknesses’ found
-
UK News4 weeks agoBurnham seeks to calm markets by committing to fiscal rules
-
UK News4 weeks agoGlass deposit scheme 'risks major problems' for retail industry
-
UK News4 weeks agoEx-minister Shapps quits aerospace firm over rule concerns
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoRyan Bridge speaks of London arrest after Oxford incident
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire man accused of sexual offences 40 years ago