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Original poster

Waitrose cafes won't serve tap water

69 replies

Chippednailvarnish · 14/03/2014 16:17

How stupid is it when even if you buy something they won't let you have some tap water?

And all the bottled water is in glass bottles. Not exactly child friendly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chippednailvarnish · 14/03/2014 16:52

I asked, they declined. I asked why they wouldn't and the lady serving me said she didn't know. So I asked for the manager and the after I sat down they bought me the bottle over.

OP posts:
GoingToBedfordshire · 14/03/2014 16:55

Mine gives glasses of tap water. I enjoy it along my free coffee and paper. Would be in there every day if I could.
V strange that they would rather give out complimentary bottled water instead of tap water! Are you on Twitter? Ask them @waitrose. Seems inconsistent.

Sparklingbrook · 14/03/2014 16:56

Our Waitrose doesn't even have a cafe.

snice · 14/03/2014 17:00

we don't have a Waitrose

ivykaty44 · 14/03/2014 17:02

tap water has to go through strict testing - bottle water doesn't.

I wouldn't want to be drinking sub standard water products and it just goes to show really you shouldn't be lowering your own standards op and visiting waitrose car

try frequenting somewhere a bit more classy - if you know what I mean Wink

Sparklingbrook · 14/03/2014 17:02

Oh no snice I feel bad now. But don't worry it's very overrated IMO, I only go in for frozen mash and milk.

snice · 14/03/2014 17:05
HazeltheMcWitch · 14/03/2014 17:12

I reckon it was either a) the assistant was mistaken, and the bottle was a sort of apology/surpass expectations type thing, or b) there was an issue with the tap, and the assistant had only got half the story.

WilsonFrickett · 14/03/2014 17:14

The downstairs M&S café near us doesn't serve tap water because they only have one sink, which they have to use for hand washing. So they 'allow' you to buy a bottle of water in the shop and bring it in... Thought it was a bit off myself.

Sparklingbrook · 14/03/2014 17:16

I boycott M&S Cafes. They can't do DS a bacon roll without butter. as 'they come with butter on'. Hmm

Willabywallaby · 14/03/2014 17:22

The M&S cafés I've been into have a jug of tap water on the side with glasses and ice and lemon...

Original poster
Chippednailvarnish · 14/03/2014 19:01

It just all seems a bit over the top. Especially as the "child friendly' drinks are sugary.

OP posts:
chickabilla · 14/03/2014 19:06

Very odd. Both waitrose stores near us have given me tap water when I have asked for it.

herecomesthsun · 14/03/2014 19:09

ours will always give the kids a drink of water if I ask, very helpful

Viviennemary · 14/03/2014 19:09

I have never been refused a glass of tap water but always order another drink as well. I thought all cafes had to supply tap water to people who are having something to eat.

hunreeeal · 14/03/2014 19:29

Pubs and restaurants must supply free tap water if alcohol is also served there.

www.ccwater.org.uk/waterissues/currentkeywaterissues/tapwaterinrestaurants/

If alcohol isn't served there's no obligation for them to offer free tap water. However it's traditional and an expected part of the normal hospitality of a food/drink venue.

It seems greedy and inconsiderate to not offer it.

PooroldJumbo · 14/03/2014 19:35

Out of interest why does it matter that the bottled water is in glass bottles? Surely you would decant it into a drinking glass or cup anyway?

BigBirthdayGloom · 14/03/2014 19:44

Sorry yours doesn't, but mine more than happy to. So it's not across the board.

mrspremise · 14/03/2014 20:08

Ask them about it on Twitter. Name the branch and I would bet that head office will 'have a word', as it were Wink

MrsHerculePoirot · 14/03/2014 20:15

Ours does free tap water, it has also given me a small free cup of milk for DD before too. I am not sure what the problem is with a glass bottle surely you can pour it into a paper cup?

Original poster
Chippednailvarnish · 14/03/2014 20:17

I'm not on Twitter - it's the South Woodford branch. I'll email the head office as it's clearly just this store.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chippednailvarnish · 14/03/2014 20:23

I wouldn't leave my two year old with a glass bottle for obvious reasons. Give her a cup and she'd be wearing the drink.

Also how many two year olds can drink a whole bottle of water in one sitting? And when she doesn't manage to down 300ml of water, I could really do without putting a heavy glass bottle in her backpack.

I also keep a refillable bottle in the car, unfortunately her brother finished it today (sods law).

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 14/03/2014 20:23

Maybe their tap water isn't drinking water?

HazeltheMcWitch · 14/03/2014 20:46

Are you sure you're not looking for a problem where where isn't one?

You asked for tap water, they brought you a bottle.
Did you say it was for your 2yo DD and that you wanted to leave her with it? Did you ask for a cup?

Surely the possibility of her wearing a cup of bottled water is not that different to her wearing a cup of tap water?

MrsHerculePoirot · 14/03/2014 21:41

How did you think she was going to drink the tap water? Surely out of a cup as well? Not sure what is different?