A complimentary beverage service at a Waitrose branch in Oxford has become unavailable to shoppers.

The dispensing unit at the Headington location has malfunctioned, preventing cardholders from accessing their complimentary hot drinks.

According to local reports, the equipment failure represents a recurring problem at the establishment.

A notification displayed on the appliance indicates the device is presently inoperable and expresses regret for any disruption caused.

The fault appears isolated to this particular branch, as equivalent machines at alternative Waitrose outlets across the country continue functioning normally.

The John Lewis Partnership, which operates the retail chain, reinstated its beverage benefit earlier this year in January 2025.

Members of the loyalty programme can obtain an americano, cappuccino, latte, or tea complimentary once daily.

The arrangement requires participants to supply their own reusable container but imposes no obligation to make a purchase.

The complimentary beverage initiative was initially launched in 2013, though it subsequently attracted criticism regarding the demographics of those utilising the service.

By 2017, the company implemented restrictions requiring members to complete a transaction before accessing the benefit.

The provision was subsequently suspended throughout the coronavirus period before being relaunched in November 2022, initially with a spending condition.

That purchasing prerequisite has since been eliminated.