Oxfordshire supermarket fridges ‘broken’ in heatwave

Multiple customers said they left the Aldi in Broadway, Didcot, without any chilled food today (Tuesday, May 26) due to broken cooling systems in the shop.

It comes as temperatures are due to reach 32 degrees Celsius in the hottest part of the day, in an unprecedented May heatwave which is breaking records in Oxfordshire.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire breaks temperature records after 82 years

Several other supermarkets in the county are showing empty shelves, as products are returned to the warehouse to prevent spoiling them while fridges and freezers are out of action.

One such store is the Waitrose in Bell Street, Henley, where cooled shelves have been cleared and a notice put up in the place of products like dairy and meat.

Some shelves are empty in the Waitrose store in Henley due to issues with the supermarket’s cooling system (Image: Newsquest)

The notice said: “Due to the extreme temperatures and a breakdown of our main refrigeration units we have, unfortunately, had to send our chilled and frozen products back to our warehouse to prevent the stock being destroyed.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to get this stock back as soon as possible.”

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Waitrose confirmed the Henley store is the only one of its branches in Oxfordshire affected by cooling system issues today.

A spokesperson for Waitrose Henley said: “We’re really sorry for the inconvenience, and are working hard to get our chillers back up and running as soon as possible. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for customers’ understanding, and likewise to our partners who worked quickly to make sure that all chilled stock was returned to our distribution centre – to prevent food waste.

“Our shop remains open for non-chilled items, and our nearby branches in Twyford and Wallingford are also welcoming customers.”

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There are also reports of broken cooling systems at the Sainsbury’s in Didcot, though this has not been confirmed.

It is not known how many supermarkets are affected by system issues, but reports from other parts of the country show the heatwave is having an impact across the south east.

Sainsbury’s and Aldi have both been approached for more information one which stores are affected and for further comment..